Contest / Published on March 10, 2021
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CULTURE & ARCHITECTURE
OAQ 2021 Awards Finalist
By Juli Pisano
From the Montérégie to the Capitale-Nationale, here are five projects named finalists to the Ordre des architectes du Québec Awards 2021 to discover during Spring break, on weekends… and while confinement persists, one year after the ever-changing March 13th 2020 cutaway…
Vote for your favorite project before March 21st. Public Choice Award unveiled on April 1st.
| 1 – CULTURAL POLE OF CHAMBLY Atelier TAG and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes in consortium Chambly, Québec To see more about the project here Photos: Adrien Williams / CS Design The mobilizing Cultural Pole of Chambly allows the City to shine in the province in terms of culture and the arts. Affirming a unique presence on the edge of Boulevard de Périgny, at the entrance to the heritage sector, the 3,250 m² building houses a library and a multifunctional room. |
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Witness to the city’s cultural and community effervescence, this grouping created a new type of civic building: a “cultural hub”.
The architectural concept proposed by the Atelier TAG consortium and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes blurs the functional limits. The uncrossing of spaces makes it possible to reinvent the experience of the public institution, which adapts to time and to needs. Bright and inviting, the building responds physically to the multitude of possible scenarios of use, while its fluid and articulated volumetry in three bodies gives it the iconic character of a major civic building.
The municipal library program is currently accessible, despite the health measures in vigour. Temporary exhibitions and integrated works of art are to be discovered.
| 2 – FÖRENA THERMAL CITÉ Blouin Tardif Architectes Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec To see more about the project here Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau, photograph Inspired by the hamlet analogy; the settlement of the Förena spa adapts to the natural topography of the site. Surrounded by the scarce agricultural land still in use near the metropolitan area, the project presented the opportunity to design a commercial project respectful of history and contextual resources. |
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The natural monochrome and prismatic cedar wood volumes are punctuated by black boxes serving as vestibules welcoming the visitor and guiding him in his various discoveries and experiences.
A vernacular nod to farm buildings on neighbouring farmlands, the silver cedar siding recalls the history of the place while contributing to the use of local and sustainable resources. Local resources have been integrated here into the site’s amenities. The granite stones of the site and the basins were all selected directly from the neighbouring quarry.
The water management strategies of the site and the vast parking lot promote bio retention as well as draining valleys. The old agricultural ditches have mostly been preserved and integrated into the new green infrastructures; so as not to modify the natural water network, not to deplete the water table and ultimately not to affect the crops and the ecosystem of neighbouring plots.
Its smooth integration into the landscape, its sober design, its fluid paths and its meticulous details, make this spa a unique and exemplary place of relaxation and treatments (currently offered).
Until further notice, the Förena remains open during the pandemic, only for massage therapy and beauty treatments, by appointment.
| 3 – SAPHIRS PARK ICE RINK ABCP Architecture Boischatel, Québec To see more about the project here Photos: Stéphane Groleau Designed by ABCP architecture, the Saphirs Park ice rink offers a sports surface protected from bad weather in winter and summer. The architectural concept is developed around a large hybrid frame roof made of wood and steel. In glued laminated wood with a steel tensioning system, the structure allows a free span of 28 meters despite its relatively low thickness. |
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The original shape of the roof makes it an innovation in itself. Here, the main trusses with variable inertia are dimensioned to optimize the volume of wood at all points. Each farm is built using two identical pieces of wood put together.
As for the columns, they are installed at an angle in two directions and are supported halfway between two trusses, being deployed on either side of the playing surface. Their support is thus offset in all directions, creating a result. quite breathtaking.
In response to an unusual order, this project provides the municipality of Boischatel with light sports equipment that extends the tradition of outdoor hockey.
Come on, let’s sharpen our skates and play outside! Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Reserved for citizens of Boischatel in compliance with current sanitary measures.
| 4 – BELVÉDÈRE DE LA CÔTE DE SILLERY Daoust Lestage Québec, Québec To see more about the project here Photos: Daoust Lestage / Jean-Philippe Labrie, CCNQ Inaugurated in fall 2020, the Belvédère is a component of the Sillery coast redevelopment project, which is part of the more comprehensive Samuel-De Champlain promenade phase 3 project in Québec City. |
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Perched on the wall of the coast at the foot of the Saint-Michel-de-Sillery church which dominates it, this pedestrian stopover finds its interest in the renewed views it generates.
Offering walkers a privileged gaze projected onto the majestic St. Lawrence River, maritime transport, the Quebec bridges and the Lévis coast, the Belvédère is articulated as a simple cantilevered platform measuring 15 meters by 3 meters. Overlooking the panorama, the successive arches frame the view and amplify the effect of perspective.
The project posed a challenge of harmonious integration into the heritage landscape. At the top of the hill, the Church of Saint-Michel-de-Sillery has dominated the cliff for nearly 170 years.
The scale has been carefully designed so that the Belvédère can be seen both as an object sensitive to its context and to the scale of the user. Notice the constant effort to optimize the dimensions of the structure in order to greatly reduce its presence in the landscape, in addition to contributing to the vertiginous nature of the experience, which nevertheless remains completely safe for visitors. The ultra-clear glass railing without any other fittings, gives an intangible aspect to the whole, thus enhancing the clearance towards the river.
Minimalist and very poetic, the Belvédère invites you to take a new look at the majestic Saint-Laurent and invites you to take a contemplative break.
Go for it! It’s free, it’s open and it’s the great outdoors!
| 5 – RECEPTION PAVILLON – BASE DE PLEIN AIR DE SAINTE-FOY Patriarche Sainte-Foy, Québec To see more about the project here Photos: Stéphane Groleau The new reception pavilion at the Sainte-Foy outdoor center is divided into four buildings housing the administrative, public, sanitary and storage functions. By dividing the program into several buildings, one connected to the other, the team was able to make everything on a human scale, allowing users to develop proximity to the site. |
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The removal of the facades allows the creation of viable and protected outdoor spaces. This configuration also promotes links with the outside and allows the frame to integrate well with the site.
The materials chosen for their rustic and natural appearance, the cedar shingle, slate shingle, cedar clapboard and sheet steel recall the northern landscape of the site and the activities offered there.
In order to anchor the building to its natural environment, Patriarche proposed the enhancement of an exposed wood structure, as well as interior and exterior finishes celebrating this material of great richness and warmth.
At night, the simple volumes of the pavilion are transformed into lanterns to liven up the site.
The cross-country ski trails and hiking trails at the Sainte-Foy outdoor base are currently open to the public, in times of confinement!
To discover all Finalists of the 2021 OAQ awards and to vote for your favorite before March 21st,
visit here
