The multiple paths to freedom
An annex of strangely familiar proportions
Given the importance of the programmatic requirements and the difficult and not very obvious access to the main spaces of the Wesley Temple, it seemed necessary, in the spirit of offering a multitude of walking paths with a strong sense of freedom, to move part of the program to a new annex located outside the temple spaces. This strategy, in addition to facilitating certain works and the more efficient layout of certain spaces, allowed us to de-clutter the Wesley Temple and to ensure that the original spatiality of the complex was preserved, and even restored. Only a few limited interventions were carried out in order to accentuate the openness and verticality of the space and to create a holistic feeling.
Partly transparent and with strangely familiar proportions, this new annex offers an open and contemporary face to The Canadian Institute, whose main access is now naturally located at the bottom of the Chaussée des Écossais slope and in the axis of Saint Stanislas Street. Beyond the large retaining wall pierced for the occasion, an English courtyard gives access to the main reception areas. It should also be noted that the layout of the program within the institution allows for a large number of accesses to be maintained. All these accesses converge towards the large opening in the floor and the mobile chandelier, which form the heart of the ensemble by linking the bistro, the two exhibitions and the collections.
This addition, which, in its dialectical relationship to the original temple, brings the institution fully into the 21st century in the age of digital books and Twitter poems, houses the main spaces dedicated to creation on its upper floors. From a symbolic point of view, the idea of placing the creative spaces outside the temple while maintaining a close relationship with it seemed appropriate. By offering a certain distance, unobstructed views of the river and the old city, and bright spaces, a greater sense of freedom is created.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
The jury unanimously confirms its final decision and designates the winner of the competition :
Chevalier Morales / Luc Plamondon.
This performance quickly captured the jury's attention for the clarity of the concept and the unexpected nature of the strategies it proposed. The designers took the bold step of projecting certain elements of the program outside the existing building, in an added annex volume, in order to free up the largest possible space in the heart of the Maison de la littérature. The benefits of such a strategy are very well exploited in several respects:
The Maison de la littérature becomes a true meeting place, rooted around the literary bistro topped by an open space, recapturing both the spirit of the original building's cultic vocation and the theatrical function that followed. The bistro is thus expressed as a key element of the project, in accordance with the intentions expressed in the program. On this point, the performance is, by far, the most convincing of the lot. Arranged as an extension of the urban space and in immediate contact with the entrance, the bistro becomes the place of articulation of the other public spaces.
The access and circulation of the various users are skilfully planned. The distribution of functions offers a great flexibility of occupation and a strong potential of adaptation for the years to come, without compromising the majesty of the main volume or the integrity of the existing building. The latter is little affected by the work, thanks to the annex which relieves it of heavy interventions.
The annex contributes to give a contemporary face to The Canadian Institute, highlighting the literary creation and its various devices. The complementarity of the small added volume (thought as an urban lantern) and the vast space of the temple (lit from the inside by a very theatrical light fixture) could produce a striking effect, both in terms of immediate perceptions and interpretations of this way of intervening on the built heritage. The project thus goes beyond its own needs, to engage in a dialogue with its environment.
The inspiring scenography supports the architecture, which is not dependent on the scenographic devices, but benefits from them. The relationship between architecture and scenography is coherent, open and balanced, allowing for several possible deployments. The neutral treatment of the interior surfaces offers the prospect of a serene and enveloping atmosphere, in contrast to the current austere character. The contents will be highlighted in this "white box".
The project meets the cost and space objectives of the program. Despite these qualities and several others that were strong arguments in its favour, this project will have to evolve in order to mitigate some of the weaknesses identified by the jury, including the acoustic disadvantage of the connecting areas, some congestion of the spaces in and around the annex, and interior design details that need to be improved. These few issues can be addressed without compromising the strength and clarity of the proposed concept, which was unanimously applauded by the jury.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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