The metamorphosis of a library: from opacity to transparency
Since the year 2000, more than fifteen architectural competitions aimed at rethinking libraries have been organized in Quebec. The recent Gabrielle-Roy library competition is a perfect example of this desire to change institutions dedicated to knowledge. Architecturally, it questions the contemporary trend towards dematerialization, which has been particularly explicit here due to the formal and massive architectural expression of the old library designed by Gauthier Guité Roy decades earlier. It also questions the paradoxical desire to create spaces that are well adapted to specific uses while being very flexible and versatile.
In March 2017, the City of Quebec launched a single-phase competition for the renovation and expansion of the Gabrielle-Roy library located in the heart of the Saint-Roch neighbourhood. This competition sought out to transform Quebec's first large modern library into a so-called third generation library, offering not only quiet spaces for reading and study, but also dynamic areas for meeting, creating and exchanging knowledge.
Inaugurated in 1983, the Gabrielle-Roy Library was the first public library in Quebec to have a large atrium, a theater for performing arts and multifunctional spaces. It has since been a pioneer though its services (art collections, sound, video and map archives) and various cultural activities. Since its opening, it has also greatly contributed to the revitalization of the neighborhood (which was then quite neglected) and greatly boosted the social and cultural life of the Lower Town.
A former working-class neighbourhood, Saint-Roch gradually became a trendy and creative area with the arrival of students, artists and professionals, and changed immensely in terms of its urban planning and architecture. In 2014, two important elements of the library, the Joseph-Lavergne auditorium and the exhibition center located on Place Jacques-Cartier, were demolished to make room for a huge twenty-story residential tower. The disappearance of these two major spaces and the imposing presence of the Fresk Tower led the city to launch a competition to transform the original building in order to give back its cultural spaces as well as bring it back at the forefront of North America libraries.
With a $ 40-million envelope, the architects' mission was to modernize the library by preserving its skeleton and atrium and to enlarge it on Saint-Joseph Street. The main elements of the program were the following: nine thematic foyers spread over four floors and encompassing the 220,000 documents in the collection; spaces for relaxation, learning and creation at the heart of each of foyer; and, an auditorium with a connected foyer. It had to therefore revolutionize the current concept of libraries in order to make it not only a place of knowledge but also a meeting space and a hub of creation through cooking workshops, music studios, etc.
Following the pre-selection phase of the competition, four teams were invited to transform the former Gabrielle-Roy library into one of the most innovative literary, cultural and social institutions.
• Lemay / Groupe A
• Hanganu / BMD
• Chevalier Morales / ABCP
• Saucier+Perrotte / GLCRM
The jury, chaired by Lise Bissonnette, was very attentive to the integration of the new library in the neighbourhood and the aesthetics of the outer envelope. They carefully examined the spatial organization of the nine thematic foyers and the clarity of the circulation within the building. The location and treatment proposed for the auditorium were also important points. On the other hand, the significance given to the animation portion of the thematic foyers did not seem to have been as determining a factor as the competition program implied.
Of the four finalists, Lemay / Group A's proposal is the only one to have explicitly referred to the former library. The architects were keen to preserve the original atrium as well as elements of the original masonry. This gesture to protect the collective memory has been praised by the jury. The innovative aspect of the project lies in the creation of dynamic spaces alternating between center and periphery, intimacy and animation. The atrium becomes an agora, a large collective space while the vertical circulation takes place at the front of the building. Despite the quality and diversity of the interior spaces, the jury was not persuaded by the proposed path from one floor to another. Furthermore, the addition of vertical slats on the exterior facade as well as the perimetric treatment of the atrium negatively impacted the project in the jury's eyes. These visual elements separate and enclose the building instead of opening it and connecting it to its environment, an architectural quality that was put forward in the competition program.
Hanganu / BMD's proposition asserts itself in the urban landscape. The presence of a huge white wall, a kind of monumental arch, on the side of Place Jacques-Cartier contrasts with the glass facade overlooking St. Joseph Street. This feature, however, separates the building from its urban environment and doesn't make for an inviting place. The strength of the project lies in the design of various sub-spaces within the building which offer convivial environments for reading and meetings. However, the jury seemed to have had difficulty understanding the proposed architectural concept and was concerned about the complexity of the spatial organization and circulation.
The concept developed by the Chevalier Morales / ABCP team caught the jury's attention by the rich spatial experience created by decentralizing the stairs, which have been thought of as "objects of desire" that would attract the user and offer a surprising journey through the thematic foyers (straight brick staircase, spiral staircase, monumental brass staircase). But this bold approach also worked against the project. The jury pointed out the risk of spatial confusion generated by the stairs and the tendency for users to favor the elevator, making the idea irrelevant. This rejection may be surprising when you consider the staircase as an architectural symbol of the progression towards knowledge which certainly deserves to be rethought and emphasized in libraries. The multiplication of entrances according to a cruciform plan which aimed to transform the ground floor into a real public square, place of transition, convergence and exchange has also disadvantaged this project. The jury raised the noteworthy problems created by this spatial configuration which makes the management of documents and building security difficult. Evidently, this attempt to rethink the typology of the library did not convince the jury.
Saucier+Perrotte / GLCRM's proposal was unanimously approved by the jury for the clarity of its concept and the role it gives to light, presented here as a metaphor for knowledge. In contrast to the old library dominated by opaque facades and brick (a legacy of brutalist architecture), the architects focused on transparency, openness and light. The glass envelope, alternating between opacity and transparency according to each floor's theme, introduces abundant natural light into the interior spaces. The main entrance is accentuated by the parvis, which extends into the interior, thus accentuating fluidity. The atrium of the former library, now elliptical in shape, diffuses the zenithal light at the heart of the four floors and highlights the scintillating work of Micheline Beauchemin. A winter garden adjacent to the main entrance skilfully provides natural light in the administrative areas located in the basement. One of the main elements that conquered the jury was the judicious location of the theater on the side of St. Joseph Street and its independent access. A room that will certainly become coveted with its foyer and outdoor terrace overlooking St. Joseph Street from the third floor. The weakest part of the project concerns the layout of the thematic foyers. The architects designed the most open spaces possible to remain flexible for future changes. An architectural parti generating refined, almost banal, interior spaces. The clarity of circulation thus outweighed architectural innovation. Despite the reservations it raises, it is a choice that has proved successful. By its apparent interior simplicity, the project won the competition, which did specify in its program a specific spatial identity for each of the theme foyers. On the other hand, other competitors, taking the risk of creating heterogeneous spaces and atmospheres, have generated spatial organizations and complex circulation that have played against them.
By the time it opens in 2021, the Gabrielle-Roy library will undergo a profound metamorphosis from opacity to transparency, an architectural parti adopted by all the finalists but brought to its peak by the winning team. The new institution will be welcoming, bright and open.
(Translated by Maxime Leblanc)
The current building housing the Gabrielle-Roy library, covering an area of ??8,369 m2, requires major renovations; the state of obsolescence of the installations has caused the complete closure of the underground parking since September 2007, leading to the closure and demolition of the exhibition center and the Joseph-Lavergne auditorium. The Library's modernization and expansion project includes the refurbishment of the existing five floors (including the basement), the refurbishment of the existing building envelope and the construction of a street-side extension. Saint-Joseph East to offer the new library a gross area of ??nearly 10,500 m2.
(From official publication)
(Unofficial automated translation)
It was unanimously decided to reject the proposals of H/BMD and LGA for the following reasons
H/BMD: the jury considered that the numerous deviations from the functional requirements of the program made it impossible to adjust this project without affecting the essence of the concept, notably the splitting of the administrative spaces, the location of the Youth Hostel on the SS1 level, the partial location of the Work and Collaboration Hostel on the RC level, and the non-respect of certain intervention limits. Members were also concerned about the complexity of the proposed envelope and the impact of this complexity on construction costs.
LGA: Despite the recognized qualities of the concept and the laudable desire to preserve traces of the existing building, the jury considered that certain functional modifications would affect the proposed project too deeply. For example, the location of the broadcasting room and part of the administration reduced the jury's appreciation for this proposal, as did the proposed circulation in the expansion part of the project. The proposed treatment of the exterior envelope and the perimeter of the atrium failed to convince the jury that these elements could add value to the proposal.
Discussions continued on the proposals from CM/ABCP and SP/GLCRM.
CM/ABCP: The jury recognized this proposal as the one that best met the functional objectives of the PFT and best emphasized the concept of knowledge homes. The restraint of the exterior treatment is also budget friendly. However, the jury felt that the proposal did not fully satisfy the following criteria: the revitalizing contribution of the building to the neighborhood as well as the strength of the new architectural presence. In addition, several considerations mitigated the jury's appreciation of this proposal, including the complexity generated by the four entrances and the clutter and spatial confusion caused by the numerous staircases. All in all, the formal proposals related to this project would be interesting if the space available on the CR level was more generous and allowed for a better perspective on these interventions.
SP/GLCRM: The jury unanimously recognized the conceptual strength of this proposal, both in terms of its volumetry, its careful urban integration and the aesthetic and signage quality of its architectural expression. The provision of natural light for the administrative spaces on the SS1 level, the location of the broadcasting room and its two foyers on Saint-Joseph Street, the controlled structural interventions, the simplicity and clarity of the interior pathways are all factors that make this proposal attractive. The attractive aspect of the outdoor amphitheatre was also emphasized, although it raised questions about the maintenance required in winter, waterproofing and security. The presence of the proposed functions on St. Joseph Street also ensures a high revitalization potential for the neighbourhood. However, the PFT requested that the foyers be brought to the forefront, as they define the personality of the library, and the proposal will need to further address this objective by bringing the animation spaces of these foyers to the forefront rather than their shelving. Despite some budgetary concerns, the jury felt that the proposal remains a relatively simple solution and offers several avenues for rationalization without affecting its intrinsic qualities.
A vote was then taken. Taking into account all of the judging criteria previously determined by the members of the jury, it was decided by a majority to recommend the project of the Saucier Perrotte/GLCRM team as the winner of the competition.
(From official publication)
(Unofficial automated translation)
| Jury president |
Lise Bissonnette, Journaliste et auteure
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| Jury | Isabel Hérault, Architecte |
| | Jacques Leblanc, Directeur |
| | Jean Pelland, Architecte |
| | Stéphane Rasselet, Architecte |
| | Rhonda Rioux, Directrice |
| | Nicholas Roquet, Architecte |
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| Technical Commitee | Annie Blackburn |
| | Louis-Daniel Brousseau |
| | Yvon Chabot |
| | Mylène Gauthier |
| | Yasmina Lacasse |
| | Julie Michaud |
Publication of the notice of competition, posting of documents: March 27, 2017
End of Question Period: April 7, 2017, 5 pm
End of the Answer Period: April 14, 2017
Submission of entries: By April 28, 2017 at 2:15 pm
First meeting of the jury / selection of finalists: May 9, 2017
Announcement of the finalists: May 25, 2017
Site visit / program presentation: May 30, 2017, 2 pm
End of Question Period: June 30, 2017, 17h
End of the Answer Period: July 7, 2017
Deposit of documents (excluding models): By July 21, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Entries Analysis by the Technical Committee: August 14-September 6, 2017
Deposit of models: No later than September 1, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Finalists Hearing: September 18, 2017
Second meeting of the jury / selection of the winner: September 19, 2017
Announcement of the results of the competition: October 5, 2017
(From official publication)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Appel de candidatures | Concours d’architecture pour le projet « Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy », Kollectif
Concours d'architecture, Ordre des architectes du Québec
Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy: les architectes choisis pour la rénovation, Québec Hebdo, 2017
Concours d’architecture | Gabrielle-Roy : le lauréat est maintenant connu, Ville de Québec, 2017
Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy : le concours est lancé, Ordre des architectes du Québec, 2017
Concours d’architecture pour la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, Radio-Canada.ca, 2017
Gosselin, Guy, Nomination du jury pour le concours d’architecture de la bibliothèque Gabrielle- Roy | CBPQ, Corporation des bibliothécaires professionnels du Québec, 2017
Nouvelle bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy - dévoilement du concept architectural, Institut Canadien de Québec, 2017
Lavallée, Jean-Luc, 40 millions $ pour la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, TVA Nouvelles, 2017
40 millions $ pour la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, WKND, 2017
Énoncé de vision de la future Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy — Espaces temps – Des idées aux projets., Espaces Temps, 2015
Concours d’architecture | Gabrielle-Roy : le lauréat est maintenant connu, Kollectif, 2017
Quatre finalistes pour le concours d'architecture de la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, Kollectif, 2017
Bastien, Simon, Concours d’architecture pour la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy : le lauréat est maintenant connu, Québec Urbain, 2017
Gobeil, Gérald, Quatre finalistes pour le concours d’architecture de la bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, Québec Urbain, 2017
Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, Ville de Québec, 2018
Rémillard, David, Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy: la fête avant le chantier, Le Soleil, 2018
Béland, Gabriel, Gabrielle-Roy, bibliothèque du futur, La Presse, 2018
Gaudreau, Valérie, La bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy fermée au moins un an, Le Soleil, 2017
Lavallée, Jean-Luc, Prix de consolation de 354 000$ aux perdants du concours d’architecture de la Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy, Le Journal de Québec, 2017
Moalla, Taïeb, 40 M$ pour une bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy lumineuse, Journal de Québec, 2017
Simard, Camille, Une nouvelle bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy plus lumineuse, Radio-Canada, 2017
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