The selected project can be briefly described as follows. It is a building whose main functions are spread over two floors, plus a limited area for permanent exhibitions on a partial third floor, with most of the specialized functions located in the basement. The link to an eventual phase II of the project is also provided in the basement, starting from the central space of the building, the layout of which allows visual continuity of the main spaces accessible to the public.
The building occupies almost the entire site and is very well integrated by its scale and the treatment of its volumes with the urban fabric of the neighborhood and with the existing buildings. The project allows for the enhancement of the Estèbe house and the Marine Institute and suggests a new ground treatment for St-Pierre street.
From St-Pierre and Dalhousie Streets, the architectural parti proposes a pedestrian pathway giving access to two terraces above the central space of the building. This pathway constitutes one of the essential characteristics of this project by allowing the simultaneous perception of the old Quebec City, the cliff and the buildings that crown it as well as the river whose presence and strength are powerfully asserted in the eyes of the visitor.
The architectural parti of the selected project is characterized by a great sensitivity to the human atmosphere and to the scale of the neighborhood and of old Quebec. The development proposal for phase II, although not the subject of a study by the jury, shows the same concern for integration and the urban fabric and allows the river to penetrate the heart of the project.
Jean-Luc Poulin, architect
President of the jury
(From competition's documentation)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Selected project: number 78735
In the opinion of the jury, the selected project best meets the functional requirements of the program and the objectives of integration into the environment. It is also the one that stands out for the general quality of its design and its anti-monumentalist approach.
1. Architectural design and integration into the environment
The building occupies almost the entire site and its outline closely follows the property lines. It integrates very well by its scale and its volumes with the surrounding urban fabric and it evokes the plot fabric of the neighbouring buildings. The treatment of the roofs, through the play of stairs, terraces, flower boxes, glass panels, sloping roofs with skylights, is of particular interest for a building that will be seen from many points of the upper town.
The pedestrian walkway that spans the central hall invites discovery. Staircases that seem to lead nowhere climb towards the sky, without any indication of the object of the ascent or the goal to be reached, to end up with rest areas and terraces that offer the visitor the simultaneous perception of historic Quebec and the river. This approach projects the Museum outwards and the environment itself becomes an exhibition object. The extension of this pathway towards the river by a set of steps evoking the past and the penetration of the river to the heart of the second phase fortunately contribute to the unification of the entire composition.
In short, it is an original and audacious party that distinguishes itself by the respect it shows to its environment.
2. Functional organization
The project distributes almost all of the galleries on two levels, thus privileging the exhibition function while reducing vertical circulation to a minimum. A small permanent gallery located on a partial third floor seems isolated from the other exhibition activities. It will be necessary to provide a second exit to a terrace, which will at the same time allow access to the terraces for the disabled.
The jury noted the following elements of the concept as very favorable: exhibition activities on all levels accessible to the public, the presence of a permanent and a temporary gallery on the first floor and an exhibition space on St-Pierre Street to announce the Museum's events, the flexibility and the numerous possibilities for the layout of the galleries, the interesting treatment of natural lighting, the enhancement of the Estèbe house and the well thought-out planning of the technical services.
The entrances, the central hall and the circulations are judged to be on the scale of the Museum, although reservations were expressed about the apparent narrowness of the bridge between the two upstairs galleries and the need to pass through one gallery to reach the other. The connection between the lobby and the basement public areas through the opening at the water level was seen as a very successful solution that allows visual continuity from one level to the other.
The specialized spaces of the Museum that include the reception and art preparation departments are particularly well planned. However, there are reservations about the layout of the landing, which results in a break in the structural fabric. The jury felt that the project would benefit if this space were planned at right angles to St-Jacques Street, thus allowing truck access in both directions and simplifying the plan considerably.
3. Architectural quality
The building distinguishes itself by its scale and reflects a philosophy of gentle intervention in an older environment. The central hall provides sufficient clearance while maintaining a volumetry in keeping with the scale of the project. The visual openings allow for easy identification of the various components and main functions of the Museum. The presentation of the Estèbe house and the old wharf is considered excellent.
Some weaknesses appeared to the jury concerning the treatment of the façades and the link between the Estèbe house and the Marine Institute on St-Pierre Street. The facades are well articulated in terms of their volumetry, but they suffer from a certain monotony at the visual level of the pedestrian. The openings on the galleries could be accentuated while respecting the imperatives of the program regarding the security of the works. The stone cladding is not very convincing in its design. The use of masonry vocabulary such as lintels and spandrels would, among other things, animate the surfaces and increase their interest. These remarks also apply to the building inserted between the Estèbe house and the Marine Institute.
The jury questioned the competitor's reasons for eliminating the remaining party wall against the side wall of the Marine Institute. Retaining and exploiting this wall could provide a happier connection between the Institute and the new building. This insertion is nevertheless considered valid by its volume and the simple treatment of solids and voids.
The project as a whole offers the visitor an environment that reflects our historical roots and invites relaxation and discovery of our culture. The competitor, however, was reluctant to propose a program of animation through artworks. He reserved the money for the creation of a horizontal fountain but gave no indication of the nature of this work. It appeared to the jury that this aspect of the program did not receive the attention one might have expected.
The jury would have liked to find in the treatment of the facades and the integration of works of art the same richness of inspiration that animated the treatment of the spaces, the volumes and the roofs, and that allowed the creation of a signal that eloquently recalls one of the important elements of the Quebec landscape: the bell tower.
4. Technical aspects of the project
The various functions of the Museum are flexibly arranged within a structural framework of admirable rigor. The difficulties of constructing the infrastructure and sealing the basement were discussed and it was suggested that a pumping system for seepage water be provided. It was also noted that a lightweight steel frame for the sloped roofs of the exhibition halls could be a good alternative to the precast concrete frame that is planned.
With respect to the building's mechanical systems, it is noted that the use of river water could eliminate the need for rooftop cooling towers.
From a construction perspective, the competitor is proposing a good quality envelope, but several details related to roof deck waterproofing that could not be addressed in the limited time of the competition will need to be carefully studied. The ease of maintenance and waterproofing of the low-slope glass roofs is questionable. Particular attention should be paid to the safety of visitors on the flat roofs to prevent climbing on the sloping roofs. The jury considers that detailed modifications can be made to the project without altering its essential characteristics.
5. Notwithstanding the few observations set out above, the jury considers that the successful project provides a solution that demonstrates a holistic approach that is sensitive to the environment and that most successfully resolves the functional objectives of the program.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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