Place of Life and Exchange - Pavillon for Peace - MBAM
location: Montreal, Canada
client: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
In collaboration with Studio Officiel
Photos by Raphaël Thibodeau
The Challenge
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts aims to become a vibrant and unifying place where art and art history foster gathering and inspire imagination for a more inclusive, accessible, and just world.
In this perspective, the Museum is planning the redevelopment of three public areas in the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace, including two relaxation spaces for individual visitors: the Peony Beach and the Family Lounge. These spaces should both provide areas for rest and contemplation and be able to occasionally host light events (corporate, community, roundtables, etc.).
The challenge lies in designing versatile spaces that respect the presence of the artworks, encourage the use of modular furniture, while maintaining the existing layouts and partitions. Special attention must also be given to managing noise related to group activities.
The Response
LOUNGE FAMILLE / STUDIO 11
The project aims to clarify the purpose of the Lounge famille as a relaxation and connectivity space integrated into the museum experience, while affirming Studio 11 as a place for meetings and co-creation. The current layout creates ambiguity, limiting visitors’ sense of ownership of the Lounge famille.
We propose relocating Patrick Beaulieu’s artwork between the two spaces, faithfully recreating its installation. This repositioning makes the artwork accessible at all times, clarifies circulation, defines the Lounge famille, and enhances the intimacy of Studio 11. The Lounge famille thus benefits from more harmonious proportions, reinforced by a mirrored ceiling, and versatile modular furniture that supports a range of uses, from daily activities to events. Interventions in Studio 11 remain minimal, focused on flexible furniture.
The entire proposal is reversible and low-impact, allowing for better activation of both the spaces and the artwork.
PLAGE PIVOINE
The project aims to encourage the use of Plage Pivoine while addressing furniture and safety concerns through an integrated, discreet intervention that respects the views, the architecture, and the artwork “Le Nœud Pivoine”.
The proposal is based on continuous peripheral furniture, the “Ruban Pivoine”, with varying heights according to function. It defines access points, frames views, secures landings, and provides spaces for relaxation, work, interaction, and events.
Simple and fixed, this white oak furniture integrates with the architecture, enhances the views, and improves the ergonomics of the space using a noble, durable, and circular material.
In summary, the “Ruban Pivoine” serves as a discreet yet structuring guiding line, facilitating the continuous use of Plage Pivoine while preserving the fluidity of spaces and circulation.