Our visit to the site of the Félix-Leclerc Library made us realize the great importance of the "Place de Ville" park in the development of the building. Great possibilities of accessibility, visibility and expansion seemed to be allowed to this cultural building implanted in a natural space. Once inside the building, we were sensitive to the importance that architects Bisson and Poulin attributed to the role of the transversal transparency of the central space to weave a link between the building and its natural environment.
The project concept proposes to extend the existing pedestrian link between the parking lot and the library through the building to connect with the pedestrian network of the park. This new route provides the library with greater openness to the park's activities and permeability to the landscaping. On this route, inside the building, defined by the existing gable roof, a central reception area is created. It is high, sunny and well-lit. It is a crossroads for meetings and exchanges between visitors to the library and the likely location for cultural activities.
The landscape intervention proposes to unite and requalify the main components of the block by articulating the exterior landscaping around a plantation of ash trees. The angle and the layout of this new wooded area are derived from the visual links between the different accesses and activity poles as well as from the relations between the expansion project and the existing buildings. The projected exterior spaces are also part of a process of preserving the functional character while allowing the creation of stimulating, sensitive and appropriable places. The latter invite the visitor to escape and discover, in the spirit of the library and the writings of Félix Leclerc.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
This project is probably the one that treats the existing building with the greatest respect, and the one that best resolves the formal integrity relationships between the existing library and the extension, in a new, coherent whole. The expression was deemed appropriate, but relatively conventional. The volume's pavilion-like logic is deemed eminently compatible with that of the neighbouring school, as the overall plan clearly suggests. The "L"-shaped layout is viable, relatively versatile and well regulated in its broad outlines, with a loan/return counter strategically positioned at the crossroads of the library's different sectors. The opening up of the adult area to the Place de Ville park and the new proximity of these two important areas of the project appealed to the jury. The walk-through hall has a number of advantages in terms of compactness and centrality, but also disadvantages in terms of day-to-day use, and appears rather impersonal in its treatment, at least as presented. What the perspectives of the interior spaces have in common, moreover, is that they do little to communicate the quality of the ambience that could be found there. The position and layout of the administrative section give rise to functional problems that could, however, be resolved fairly easily. Some members of the jury questioned the value of the outdoor spaces created between L'Odyssée school and the library, given their limited dimensions and the corridor that forms dead-end courtyards, rather unwelcome in a school environment. This link blocks an important pedestrian route between Rue de l'Innovation and Parc Place de Ville, and also causes volume control problems inside, due to the proximity and eccentric position of the reading room. A modification to the layout or a second control system would be required here. The new entrance, on the south side, was appreciated by some members of the jury for giving a new, more welcoming face to the library (for those travelling on boulevard Pie-XI from the south) and for encouraging a reappropriation of the area by pedestrians, but it was noted that the west facade (existing) had not been significantly improved in its relationship to boulevard Pie-XI. This project, measured and restrained, was the one that most reassured the client that the planned construction costs would be respected.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
29 scanned / 13 viewable
- Presentation Panel Excerpt
- Presentation Panel Excerpt
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
- Plan
- Plan
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
