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Cour de l’École des Ursulines
By : EVOQ Architecture de paysage
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Landscape Architecture - Cultural & Institutional Project : Gold Certification
Perched on the steep promontory of Cap Diamant, Old Québec is located within the fortifications of the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of the fortifications, the Ursuline Monastery National Historic Site of Canada is one of the rare conventual complexes that bears witness to the establishment of the French colony in Canada in the 17th century. Its built and landscaped components are testimony to the different phases of evolution since the arrival of the missionary nuns in 1639.
Reflecting the social and educational evolution of the Ursuline School, the courtyard now offers more stimulating spaces for the students of this elementary school. A variety of spaces have been created to harmonize with the site and accommodate sports and recreational activities such as soccer, basketball, soccer, pear ball, spinning wheel and ropes course. The relaxation, socialization and teaching spaces are more in keeping with the seating areas, such as the bleacher and the limestone steps that follow the natural slope of the land. Added to this was the need to design universal access to all facilities, in addition to obtaining Ministry of Culture approvals… Historical status obliges!
The majestic trees, which reveal an era of self-sufficiency in drug manufacturing and food supply, dominate the many vistas in an effort to preserve and enhance. In order to preserve the integrity of the soil and root systems, excavation operations were kept to a minimum. The landscape architect had to work closely with structural soil engineers to design methods for anchoring the playground to the surface rock. At the same time, a team of archaeologists was involved in overseeing the excavations to preserve artifacts discovered during previous digs. The result, among other things, is a new athletic track designed to encircle and protect the nine apple trees in the historic orchard that commemorates the site's rich landscape heritage.
Taking advantage of the slopes of the site, the play areas are spread out over five levels offering breathtaking views of the buildings of Old Quebec. Strategically distributed between these different slopes, bioretention basins capture the water in situ. Infiltration techniques are used to drain the surfaces while reducing runoff into the saturated sewer system. The water management solution, provided by the landscape architect, preserves the qualities of this historic landscape, as the huge retention ponds prescribed by the city would have distorted the site and limited the area for children's play. This planning supports an ecological strategy for heritage landscapes.
This project ensures the conservation and enhancement of this exceptional site, while managing the historic and cultural landscape for the very long term. Although this is a large-scale, multi-faceted intervention in a complex area, the landscape architect has studied, planned, designed and landscaped each element with coherence and sensitivity, drawing on the historical evidence that makes the courtyard unique!
Collaboration
Landscape Architecture : EVOQ Architecture de paysage
