Stage 1
The garden reaches for the sky; the new museum is a path, a passage, a place through which we experience a range of emotions punctuated by moments of discovery and meditation.
The gradual disappearance of the last witnesses of the Holocaust, once capable of transmitting their incomparable experiences, today leaves a significant void that cannot be replaced by any amount of information gathered by historians. It therefore becomes essential to create environments in which our memory--and that of future generations--can reconstruct a meaningful range of emotions arising from the inhumanity of the Holocaust. In turn, we can understand the profound humanity that the perpetuation of this memory seeks to trigger in each individual.
The project has two main goals: to convey a powerful message of the strength of humanity and to educate future generations about the Holocaust and its consequences, in order to help prevent future acts of genocide. This is a true sharing that is not only based on the duty to remember what was, but also--and more importantly--on the gift of memory to come.
The new Montreal Holocaust Museum is rooted in an essential context for any museum dedicated to the Holocaust on Canadian soil: a unique site anchored in a city that welcomed Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It is their memory that the new museum seeks to honor while aspiring to greater hope for the future of humanity.
Stage 2
Carving out a new space for Montreal's Jewish community, which has contributed so much to the development of this urban landscape, the museum in turn gives back to this community and to all Montrealers a place that promotes education, peace and the duty to remember.
Our desire is to create not only an object of remembrance, but a place to authentically experience two vital aspects of Holocaust witness: the powerful descriptive evidence of history; and the recognition of the perseverance of survivors that we leave to future generations as a legacy that enables them to face the future with even greater humanity.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Stage 1
The jury emphasizes the clarity and finesse of the integration with the site. The façade on Saint-Laurent Boulevard is inviting, although its geometry could be refined. The treatment of the opaque portion of the façade on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, as well as the very dark coloration of the brick, could be reconsidered. The jury appreciates that the commemorative garden occupies a central place, but its walls would benefit from offering more transparency. A reflection on vegetation, tranquility and symbolism could also contribute to enrich this space. The jury emphasizes the great potential for development of this proposal.
Stage 2
The jury appreciates the legibility of the proposed façade on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, which is simple and strong in its expression, with the winding wall. The quality of the evocation of the demolished buildings is also commended. The texture of the brick is interesting. However, several members of the jury felt that this façade is too opaque.
The building on Saint-Dominique Street is very tall and does not seem adapted to the residential context.
The connection between the garden and the museum appears unclear, especially the roof terrace, which seems poorly connected to the other spaces of the museum. There are reservations about the strategy for occupying the garden in winter.
The jury is of the opinion that the project presents some awkwardnesses at the functional level, in particular with regard to the circulations and the fact that certain offices are in the second day. It is noted that the ramp giving access to the roof terrace lacks generosity and although it is accessible, it does not entirely meet the objective of the inclusive route. The jury believes that the project lacks clarity in terms of understanding the spaces.
The sustainability strategy appears unclear.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
41 scanned / 41 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel Excerpt
- Presentation Panel Excerpt
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Section
- Section
- Axonometric Drawing
- Axonometric Drawing
- Axonometric Drawing
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- View
- View
- View
- View
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Section
- Axonometric Drawing
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Schema
- Sketch
