Pierrefonds library

Consortium : DMA architectes & Chevalier Morales architectes Client : Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement Pierrefonds-Roxboro Year : 2019 Budget : 15 M$ Area : 4 550 square meters

Expansion of the public library - Winning project of an architectural competition

Awards and Honours

2019 - Prix d’Architecture des Bibliothèques et Centres d'Archives du Québec

2018 - Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) Award of Excellence in Steel Construction. Institutional Projects Category

2014 - Canadian Architect - Canadian Award of Excellence

2022 - LEED Gold certification

The library inserts itself by contrast with to the existing building and the adjacent City Hall, leaving a significant part to the natural surroundings that constitutes the richness of the site.

The Pierrefonds Library transformation is inspired by the environment in which the library is located. It is based on the enhancement of all aspects of the site: the walls are glazed towards the wooded Millennium Park, the shape of the building extension projects towards Pierrefonds Boulevard to express its urban presence, the existing islands of vegetation are preserved, and the green spaces are greatly enhanced.
The program proposes a configuration of wings that all converge towards an exchange space, a network of crossing stairs, a tiered staircase, openings between the floors offering visual connections, a multitude of skylights and a civic space presenting the public artwork.
The library presents itself as a social catalyst, encouraging encounters, inviting passageways, offering spaces dedicated to the organization of events. Instead of being purely economic and functional, the shape of the building suggests both its attachment to the urban surroundings and its attraction to nature by getting closer to the adjacent Millennium Park or by offering the public views of the natural landscape.
The strong link with the exterior is expressed in several ways; interior courtyard, roof terrace, steps towards the wooded area, but above all views and access to the landscape and views towards the wooded area as far as the eye can see.
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