Grande Bibliothèque du Québec (BAnQ)°
location: Montreal, Canada
client: Société immobilière du Québec
Finalst, iInternational architecture competition, in collaboration with Daoust Lestage, FABG architects, Yan Kersalé & Ruedi Baur
The Challenge
In 2000, the government of Québec launched an international architecture competition for the construction of the main library of the BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec), as part of a plan to relocate both the circulating collection of the Bibliothèque nationale du Québec (BNQ) and that of the Montreal Central Library to the same site.
The Response
The project develops a six-story library, prominently located at the corner of Rue de Berri and Boulevard Maisonneuve, in relation to the Judith Jasmin Pavilion of the Université du Québec à Montréal. Part of the building, facing the street, is dedicated to the entrance hall and circulation between levels: this more active space engages with the urban environment. The second, more recessed part houses the conservation and storage areas for the collections across four levels, providing a calm setting conducive to both preservation and consultation of the materials.
Expertise(s)
THINK-TANK & INCUBATOR, DESIGN & INNOVATION
Market(s)