The relationship between culture and landscape is a fundamental component of identity. Like poetry, architecture becomes a medium of growth and expression. Transforming the territory through its multiple strata of occupation, architecture composes cultural landscapes, shifting as cultures change. These successive layers of occupation enrich our territories, revealing a fertile soil that is constantly being updated. It is these riches that have inspired the expression of our project Espace Rivière, anthropic hill.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
- The Finalist presents a proposal in continuity with his conceptual approach from the first stage of the competition.
- The Jury doubted that the analogy to geology presented by this Finalist was a real site-concept link. But once accepted, the analogy supports this coherent proposal in reference to the mountain, cliff and magma. We like the theme of "making the building the environment." We see in it the development of visual landmarks for the people of the Borough. And in this sense, strata, colouration and materiality are appreciated. The approach is interesting, but needs to be explained to be fully appreciated.
- The uniqueness of the project is recognized: it is dedicated to this Rivière-des-Prairies site and nowhere else. What's more, it stands alone on the site and blends effectively with the surrounding volumes.
- The building's imposing presence in the neighbourhood is acknowledged, and its street presence is brought down to a human scale by its wide, orange-coloured forecourt on boulevard Perras. Public and cultural activities are clearly felt here, despite the rather rigid wall height on this side. The metal cladding used for the double skin raises questions about its durability. It is also in need of some revision in order to manage the openings.
- The Jury underlines the link recreated with the street by eliminating the existing cavity between the sidewalk on Perras and the building. However, it deplored the austerity of the blind walls on the Rodolphe-Forget side. The embankment to the north avoids a certain break with the environment due to the covered parking lot.
- The presence of water on the site and on the roofs is very interesting. The Jury doubts that the vegetation is really as lush as that shown in the drawings. The periods of drought and lack of water on the roofs require a judicious choice of plants.
- The Jury appreciates the two outdoor public spaces, which complement each other and are not on the street. It also emphasized the quality of the outdoor roof terraces, despite the less favourable winter conditions.
- The reception area is warm and friendly, and interior orientation is easy and intuitive. The human scale, colouring and playfulness of the premises, especially the slide, are much appreciated.
- Opinions on the mall concept are divided. On the one hand, we don't want people to come and consume, but rather to come and enjoy. On the other hand, it is recognized as a good strategy for attracting young customers to the area, and for creating conditions conducive to gathering and strolling.
- The Jury underlines the pleasure of giving back the built space to the people by allowing them to occupy bright spaces on each floor with distant views towards the river. Access to the terraces also contributes to the pleasure of frequenting Espace Rivière.
- The floor plans for each level are clear, free and simple, with fluid circulation. The flexibility of the proposed spaces is evident.
- Spatial organization of the various hubs enables destinations of interest to be reached at each end.
- The team's responses to the functional program are very good, despite certain shortcomings, which do not worry the Jury given the great flexibility of the spaces and the potential for adjustments. The positioning of the café space on level 0 was also questioned.
- The Jury underlines the team's mastery of the proposed engineering strategies. The team did, however, face some major technical challenges, such as the management of waterfall roofs and water management on the building envelope.
- The Finalist proposes an alternative to the required geothermal energy. The Jury acknowledges this deviation from the PFT, but considers the designers' arguments to be well-founded.
- This Finalist has demonstrated the budgetary feasibility of his project in line with the City's requirements.
Open discussion
- There's a nice, coherent evolution with the conceptual approach of the first stage.
- The orange colouring is appreciated.
- The flow is fluid.
- One descends to the auditorium, to the black box, a logical gesture.
- Generous living spaces.
- The overall user experience is highly appreciated.
- The layout is highly flexible.
- The building reconnects with boulevard Perras by eliminating the cavity in the ground, but the break to the north with the environment is considerable.
- The sustainable development measures applied are appreciated.
- The analogy with geology is not specific to the site's history, but the uniqueness of the concept is recognized.
- The building's massing is in keeping with the site's topography.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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