The materiality of the conceptual ideas is translated first of all by a very strong concept, in this case by the plant slab both in contrast and in harmony with nature, and by the subtlety of the metaphorical references such as: the steel structure supporting the glass facade representing the forest, the oculi of different sizes illustrating the stellar objects and the stars (the light of the north enters it during the day and leaves it at night), the stone wall honoring the elders, the silk-screened glass wall between the exhibition rooms and the ambulatory filtering the light like the leaves of the trees, the circular shape of the skylights (especially the one above the Living Traditions Room) and the agora reinforcing the idea of gathering that is specific to the Indigenous nations symbolize the world.
While the most common museum approach is to design closed exhibition spaces in order to protect the works, we opted, given the exceptional natural context, for the omnipresence of nature in the Huron-Wendat culture and the reduced scale of the project, to favour a concept of rooms open to the landscape. The exhibition rooms being the heart of the project and the most important part of the program, they must be linked to the rest, visually and spatially. They are in linear sequence with the other spaces, along the glassed-in walkway overlooking the park, allowing the visitor to find his way around and alternate his impressions between the object of culture and nature. The sobriety of the building enhances rather than opposes the content of the Museum. The hot water heating system in the floors, the air-conditioning-humidification provided at low velocity, by a large number of diffusers in the center of the ceiling provide optimal conditions for the objects, constant and without turbulence. The Museum of the Huron-Wendat Nation will be both a place of attraction for the visitor by its very strong concept and a place of appropriation and identification of the community. We have chosen to express in a metaphorical way the relationship between the Huron-Wendat and the rest of the world: nature, spirituality and mythology, in what is both specific and universal, rather than trying to reinterpret their way of life, their architecture.
(From specialized magazine)
(Unofficial automated translation)
This project was distinguished by the very great control of the multiple dimensions of the challenge, both technical, functional, museological, cultural, budgetary and regulatory. In all these dimensions, the project was at the top of the evaluation scale. Moreover, the jury was able to appreciate the fact that these qualities are not simply additive, but also synthetic. The project does have weaknesses, but none of them are so important that they call into question the proposed solution. Among the most meritorious aspects of the project, we can underline : The richness of the spatial experience and pathways, the multiple symbolic references allowed by the simple elevation of the ground to a roof; the very small scale of the project and the relevance, in terms of the typology of Bastien Boulevard, of the small reception volume; the simple, flexible, and rational distribution of the program elements in a compact volume; the generous opening onto the rational landscape; the well-integrated parking; an overall very sensitive approach to the landscape, brilliantly exploiting the very low longitudinal slope of the site; the rationality of the technical decisions. In short, the project was judged to be very mature, inspiring confidence in its development. It stood out from the others by its sobriety, its overall balance, and its use of simple and limited means to satisfy all of the objectives stated in the program.
(From specialized magazine)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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