Prologue
Starting from the city, a ground gently descends towards the river.
But this gentle slope comes up against a wall.
And the river remains inaccessible and invisible.
The present project proposes to remedy this state of affairs.
The site
The new performance hall of Saint-Hyacinthe is anchored on a site at the border of the city and the river. The study of this site makes it possible to distinguish two complementary dynamics, namely:
-the urban axes (Saint-Joseph, Hôtel-Dieu, Saint-Anne and Saint-François streets) originating in the west in the downtown area and cutting the site into strips in the east
-The Yamaska River and its associated infrastructures: the bicycle path and the various facilities along the riverbank (Parc des Tisserands)
In parallel to these dynamics, the two most striking elements of the landscape are :
-the water retention wall: its 45° angulation in relation to the urban grid marks the alignment of the Yamaska River.
-the slope of the site: it is such that the ground level at the level of Saint-Antoine Street coincides exactly with the altitude of the top of the water retaining wall.
Both the location of the auditorium and the formal concept behind it are the result of these dynamics and the influence of these elements.
The ribbon
At the western limit of the site, at the corner of Saint-Antoine and Sainte-Anne streets, a ribbon of absolute horizontality (in comparison with the relative horizontality of the natural ground) is laid down.
This new topographical reference proposes, like a virtual bridge over the Yamaska River, a journey between the urban universe of the city and the dreamlike world of the river.
Reacting to the slope of the ground, from its origin at the corner of the site, the ribbon will delaminate, one of its branches keeping its horizontality, the other, as if by gravity, following the ground level.
But while the latter continues to descend and that, in comparison, the level of the horizontal plane seems to rise towards the river, the upper ribbon bends a first time. The landscape imposes its order.
Like a wave, the angulation of the wall will generate in the horizontal ribbon a series of successive folds of increasing density that will transform the original plane into vertical surfaces and inclined planes and then again into horizontal planes.
The climax of these transformations will be this platform, completely parallel to the river, overhanging the landscape and offering a breathtaking view.
Then, through another series of increasingly quiet folds, the ribbon returns to ground level and, rolling up on itself, regains the serenity of urban order.
The room
The programmatic spaces (vestibule, foyers and services) will be anchored on the folding and unfolding of the ribbon, which becomes the vector of movement through the space.
The volume of the main hall will be inserted between the branches of the ribbon, between "before" and "after" the meeting with the river.
The building's setback from Saint-Antoine Street allows for a solemn walkway towards the river and towards the entrance. From the street, the user walks along this alley (lined with trees protecting the backyards of the adjacent buildings) along an outdoor public space that becomes a tiered area with an outdoor stage at the edge of the building itself.
This public space to the west, like the urban squares, allows for large urban gatherings with an outdoor stage in direct relation to the stage of the performance hall.
The alley (the ribbon) extends along the east facade of the auditorium, directing the user to the entrance doors, located at the first fold. The latter, by transforming the floor of the aisle into a ceiling, takes the spectators from the exterior space, the "foyer" of the public space, to the interior space, the foyer of the performance hall.
From this interior foyer (whose floor is at the same altitude as the top of the retaining wall), the expectations of the stroller are fulfilled: the river is offered in a grandiose way through a large glass surface.
It is also possible to access the building by car. A drop-off point is provided at ground level, near the public space on the east (river side), giving access to a vestibule communicating with the upper foyer level through a large monumental staircase located in the space between the folds of the two delaminated strips of the ribbon.
The administration offices are also located on the ground level, close to the central activity of the auditorium, while benefiting from a calm and luminous environment.
A back-up box office is provided on this level for daytime purchases, with the main (nighttime) box office located on the upper foyer level.
Thus, the foyer is the point of arrival in the building, but the entrances are on several levels and by different means.
It becomes clear that the foyer, the true arrival point of the building, is not limited to a confined space but is in fact a set of spaces created and organized by the successive folding of the ribbon.
Even the outdoor spaces generated by the ribbon (such as the platform overlooking the river) are an integral part of this home.
The difference between the dynamics of the public spaces enriches the quality of the whole. Thus, unlike the public space to the west described above, the public space to the east, protected from the hustle and bustle of the city center by the building itself and by the folds of the ribbon, lends itself more to contemplation of the river and to more intimate activities.
A direct link between the city and the river, the auditorium is located on a slab that leads to a terrace opening onto the river.
The ribbon that leads the spectator to the hall is an imaginary bridge connecting the two banks, which folds in on itself to define the spaces.
The opalescent object of the auditorium is inserted through this ribbon built of a more mineral material. The various folds in the ribbon lead users toward the performance space; the high terrace offers a panoramic view of the landscape.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
The jury emphasized the elegance and aesthetics of the proposed project. It stood out for its conceptual approach, the ribbon, which contributes to the plastic quality of the object. The generosity of the outdoor public spaces, the highlight of which is the impressive terrace that opens onto the Yamaska River, was also appreciated. The jury emphasized the beauty of the south façade and the brightness of the foyer.
However, the generosity of the interior spaces results in a significant overrun of the surface areas, which may result in higher construction costs. The complexity of the distribution of services over several stages has raised many questions. The generous fenestration of the foyer for use as a cabaret did not convince the jury.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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