Presentation of FABG, architects, by Éric Gauthier
Priority to the hall
The project focused on the potential use of the spaces and their animation, by offering a great spatial flexibility: the auditorium has a uniform height while the hall, embellished with a staircase/grades, allows for small-scale shows, this viewpoint highlights the river. Thanks to the warm lateral hall, open to the river, this project proposes a fluid interior/exterior relationship, favourable to animation. The very sober envelope emphasizes the hall and the room. The mediation room and the cafeteria are positioned at the back on the river side with views on the park and the water. The exterior walls are composed of glass panels, metal cladding alternating solid and perforated surfaces.
The jury evaluates the projects by criteria.
STRENGTH OF IDENTITY/
The strength of identity is strongly expressed laterally and on the river side, but little on the city side where the treatment of the entrances and the façade is in keeping with the volume of the existing building. The project provides for identification by adding a visual element in the park on the façade.
CRITERION 1/Atmosphere
The concept proposes a beautiful spatial quality of the hall despite its linearity, both exterior and interior. The use of warm color and the organization of the staircase in tiers contribute to create a warm space conducive to animation and multifunctional, thanks to the grouping of public functions on the first floor.
CRITERION 2/The quality of the building's relationship with its site on the river and the city in a transparent manner
The party demonstrates a good control and understanding of the site as a whole and a respect for its dominant elements. The entrance is well located in relation to the parking lot. The exploitation of the river is very successful from the lobby as well as in the mediation room. However, the transparency is only successful once you arrive in the lobby, as the vestibule creates a barrier between the city and the river.
CRITERION 3/Functionality and innovation of the ensemble
The functional organization demonstrates a good knowledge of this type of program; it proposes a rich, direct and efficient route. It maximizes the relationship of the hall with the park and its site. Priority was given to the performance hall and its foyer. The addition of bleachers in the lobby promotes animation and allows for functional flexibility of the link.
CRITERION 4/Integration of volume and materiality
The respect of the volume of Studio A makes the volume of the hall/stage stand out from the linearity of the existing building. The stage cage in the background attenuates its impact. The treatment of the facade on the city is more limited, and does not succeed in integrating this volumetry, although it is very well mastered on the river side.
CRITERION 5/Technical feasibility and potential to respect the budget
FABG's project respects the existing footprint except for the Studio B lobby; this team has placed budgetary priority on the performance space, increasing mechanical/electrical costs.
FINAL SELECTION
After scoring all the criteria, the jury endorsed by a majority the choice of FABG Architects. The jury selected FABG's project because of the priority given to the performance of the auditorium and the appropriateness of its response to the site. The new complex offers a dialogue with the park and the river through the successful transparency of the lobby and public areas.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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