As one of the city's most recognized historical buildings, the Laval University School of Architecture is definitely a most important symbol. Through its 50 glorious years of service, it deserves more than just any sort of extension to accommodate its growing community – it needs to evolve.
With that said, the intent of the design is to enhance the existing school and not to replace what has made it so strong to this day. The proposed solution identifies the school's existing southwest entrance as the primary element of the main circulatory path. The southwest façade is completely recladded with a "double¬skin" glazed envelope to reveal the activities inside the school's main square. Keeping the original window frames in place, they seem to almost float on top of this new, modernized glass skin. The skin varies in opacity from floor to floor, with more public spaces, such as critique areas, being much more visible to the outdoors to promote a larger audience.
As one progresses inward, the grandeur of the newly programmed square is striking. Following the existing grid pattern, the new amphitheater and multi-use spaces, located directly underground, almost seem to cut into the square itself. This space is accessible through the newly proposed dynamic signature staircase, which also provides much needed stair access to the southwestern studios on the third floor. Going downwards, one passes through a series of exhibition/critique areas which are separated on different levels. These spaces circulate around the main amphitheater, bringing color to the otherwise lifeless hallway. This hallway continues into the main building via the existing underground access.
Yet the main catalyst of this evolution is neither the façade nor the glazed square; it is the vibrant staircase which connects the two together. Like a snake, the crystal-like stairs spiral upwards towards the third-floor studio spaces, becoming the main attraction of the central square. As the students are the heart of the school itself, this stair celebrates the movement of these architects-in-training. Composed of a complex glazed framing system, the "snake" brings new energy into the square, driving the School of Architecture into the next stage of its decade-long evolution.
(competitor's text)
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