It is often said that the best way to protect heritage is to make it live and breathe. Whether it retains its original purpose or finds a new use, an old building will certainly have to undergo certain adaptations to meet current trends and standards. While our next Urban Exchange 24 March is on the theme of "Intervening in built heritage: rupture, contrast or continuity?", we invite you to discover five exemplary projects that combine heritage and contemporary architecture.
1. The Alcan company
Ten years after the demolition of the Van Horne Mansion in 1973, the construction of the Maison Alcan is a clear sign of a change in mentality in Montreal. The project designed by the Arcop firm, under the direction of architect Raymond Affleck, expressed the desire of Alcan's president at the time, Montrealer David Culver, to preserve and restore the heritage of Sherbrooke Street. The Alcan House consisted of integrating a new building (Davis) and other contemporary constructions into an exceptional heritage ensemble made up of the Victorian residences of the Square Mile - the Klinkhoff, Holland, Béïque and Atholstan houses, as well as the Berkeley Hotel.
The Maison Alcan is an innovative ensemble, in particular through the development of public interior spaces in the form of an atrium that highlights the rear of the buildings overlooking Sherbrooke Street. It reinforces the spirit of walkability and the happy cohabitation of the contemporary and the existing. This concern for integration contrasts with the facade design in vogue at the time.
On February 23, 2017, Michel Leblanc, Quebec's Minister of Culture and Communications, Luc Fortin, announced the signing of the classification notice for the Maison Alcan complex followingHéritage Montréal.
2. Cégep Gérald-Godin de Sainte-Geneviève
The firm EVOQ is currently working on the expansion of the Cégep located on the banks of the Rivière des Prairies. The complex is composed of a building integrated in 1999 within the former novitiate of the Holy Cross Fathers, to which a contemporary part has been added to accommodate a performance hall (designed by Saucier Perrotte).
In 2019, EVOQ was commissioned to expand the north façade, including the creation of a new mezzanine and a new entrance. The integration of the latter in a new glass volume will minimize the changes to the existing buildings. The ensemble will thus create a dialogue between heritage and contemporary architecture.
"By inserting the new extension into the embankment bordering the rear façade of the original stone building, the project manages to minimize the impact on the landscape while preserving, through its delicacy, the autonomy and architectural integrity of this unique architectural ensemble. »
EVOQ
Click here to learn more about the project.
3. The Maisonneuve Library
The Maisonneuve Library occupies the former Maisonneuve City Hall, built in 1910-1911. It is classified as a building of exceptional heritage value (municipal jurisdiction) and is located in the Maisonneuve sector of exceptional heritage value (Sainte-Catherine East and Morgan).
The library is currently one of the major projects of the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Reflection on its rehabilitation and expansion began in 2013 and several co-development activities have since been organized with citizens. A final codesign workshop on the programming is planned for 2021.
In 2017, the City launched an architectural competition for the library renovation and expansion project, which was won by Dan Hanganu architects and EVOQ Architecture. The library will triple its size, from 1,240m2 to approximately 3,700m2. According to the winning firms, the project was inspired by the City Beautiful movement. The building is completed by an outdoor public space highlighting :
"The original monumental architecture and the contemporary and transparent insertion of its extension in a coherent whole
Source : Designmontreal.com
The heritage character of the library is emphasized on the exterior and interior by the addition of atriums on each side of the building.
The work is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Photo : Site de la ville de Montréal
Visit Ville de Montréal to find out more.
4. The Verdun auditorium
This monumental building is located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, near the Verdun urban beach. It is an important visual landmark for the borough and a place full of memories for the residents since the auditorium has hosted many events since its opening in 1939. The architects wanted the Auditorium to continue to play an important role in the public space.
"The initial commission called for the demolition of the original Art Deco building, but the architects opted to enhance it and build an extension," reads the OAQ website. FABG Architects proposed to renovate the old auditorium by merging it with the Denis-Savard arena, which was itself rebuilt. They installed a foyer between the two, "from which it is possible to observe the two ice rinks as you travel from the city to the river in the axis of a new urban beach." The firm also took care to restore the original masonry facade, the wooden benches inside the arena, and the wood and steel roof structure.
These choices have allowed FABG Architects to be among the finalists for the OAQ 2021 award in the Heritage Enhancement category.
Visit the OAQ website to learn more.
5. The FRAC of Dunkerque (France)
The Parisian architectural firm Lacaton & Vassal has just won the Pritzker Architecture Prize for their work as a whole, including this extension to the FRAC* of the Nord Pas-de-Calais Region (France).
True to their philosophy of never demolishing a building to build a new one, the architecture firm believes that "every structure can be reused, reinvented and reinvigorated"(NY Times). The Pritzker Prize was awarded to them for their "commitment to architecture that is restorative, technological, innovative, ecological, and free of nostalgia." In their interview with the NY Times, they testify to a commitment that is alsoHéritage Montréal :
"Take care of the memory of things that were already there, and listen to the people that are living there. »
NY Times
Built between 2013 and 2015, the FRAC of Dunkerque is divided into two buildings located in the city's harbour: the former AP2 boathouse, and the new building of approximately 9,000m2 which houses the collection's reserves, exhibition rooms and educational workshops. Inside, the building's flexible floor plan allows it to adapt to the FRAC's needs. The immense volume of hall AP2 lends itself to the exhibition of large-scale works and public events.
The duplication of the shape of the two buildings makes the whole harmonious, without favouring one or the other. They can be used together or separately, and contribute to enriching the new vocation of the district through a public facility with multiple scales.
The FRACs bring together the public collections of contemporary art constituted by the regions.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, March 24 at noon to discuss with our guest experts. We will discuss different solutions to reconcile the identity and heritage value of a building with new needs and contemporary architectural interventions. Click here to register or follow the conference on Facebook live.
3 comments
Bravo for your site on the architectural heritage of Montreal.
It helps to prepare a future trip!
Thank you and enjoy your trip to Montreal!
Heritage meets innovation! This article perfectly captures how contemporary architecture can preserve the soul of a city while embracing modern design. Truly inspiring work