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The Grounds of the new Maisonneuve Library
By : civiliti
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Landscape Architecture - Cultural & Institutional Project : Gold Certification
THE GROUNDS OF THE NEW MAISONNEUVE LIBRARY, MONTREAL
The city of Montreal is known for its thriving cultural scene and rich architectural heritage. What visitors often miss, however, is the gentle, yet radical transformation occurring in the mosaic of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods outside the downtown core and tourist attractions. A striking example of this transformative process is the Maisonneuve Library, housed since 1981 in what was once a small, but prestigious city hall for the short-lived, City Beautiful-inspired, Cité de Maisonneuve. The project has rehabilitated the original building, added two contemporary wings, and revamped the public grounds into a distinctive urban landscape.
The quiet presence of the former City Hall, with its strong timeless elements, set the tone for the subtle handling of the new landscape. A subdued pattern of grey pavers, rich stone furniture and Corten steel retaining walls were introduced to harmonize with the library’s resolutely contemporary wings while creating a dignified setting for the heritage building.
The boundary between the public realm and the institution’s private grounds was erased to create a larger, unified urban plan featuring distinct environments at various public access points. Expanding the public realm, the grounds of the library include the adjacent urban spaces such as the cultural patio set between the library and the Maison de la culture Maisonneuve, as well as Place Ernest-Gendreau, a small street and service alley at the back of the library. The urban setting and new cultural hub create an important and accessible public space along Ontario Street.
Collaboration
