Discipline : Architecture
Categories :
Public Building / Higher Education & Research Building
: Gold certification
The concept of the new Pavilion A5 of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke was developed to promote the exchange of ideas between professors and students from all departments. The exchange of knowledge in all its forms is at the heart of the design of the new building and becomes the catalyst for its unique architectural form.
The new pavilion includes support functions for the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, such as offices for professors and researchers, several meeting and conference rooms, as well as a large staff lounge. The offices of professors and researchers are laid out in a regular grid, while the meeting rooms and staff lounges are distributed throughout the project in an upward motion towards the landscape. Thanks to this ascension, users are encouraged to contemplate the regional landscape from each floor, interact, and exchange ideas. These fully glazed public spaces assert themselves outside by subtly punctuating the facades.
The main circulation areas of the pavilion include staircases connecting the departments, with locations corresponding to the meeting spaces on each floor. These spaces offer breathtaking views of the region's mountains, and natural light is omnipresent. The staircases encourage informal meetings while enlivening the linear aspect of the building. The new staff lounge, located on the top floor, has quickly become a preferred gathering place for users, offering a stunning view of Mount Orford. A relaxation and work area has been set up in the ground floor lobby, primarily used by the student community.
Particular attention was paid to universal accessibility. The location of the main entrance takes advantage of the site's topography, allowing access to the pavilion at the level of the existing pedestrian paths on the campus. The entrance hall extends outside under a canopy, creating a harmonious connection between the interior and exterior. The adjacent courtyard features the works of artist Yann Pocreau, inspired by the disciplines taught at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences.
