Even before the St. Denys-du-Plateau Church was converted into a library, it was an unusual building. Designed by the late Jean-Marie Roy in 1964, the house of worship in Quebec had a unique and dynamic volume—the building evoked a huge tent inflated by the wind.
When Dan Hanganu Architectes and Côté Leahy Cardas Architectes took on the conversion project, they wanted to respect the original building. Almost all of the original structure remains, along with two additions.
What was once the nave now contains the library's shelves and work areas, while the new addition houses the administrative offices and community hall. This separation allows for the community hall to be open even when the library is closed, according to Dezeen.
Preserving the structure's existing volume was paramount for the architects, and they did this without closing off the spacious nave. In addition, "to accentuate the fluidity of this volume, the solid soffit above the window has been replaced by glass panel which allows each beam to visually slip seamlessly to its exterior steel base—a revelation of visual continuity," the firms said in a press release.
The new community hall and offices are contained in the larger of the two additions, which replaces the former presbytery. However, the new part of the building reserves the same footprint. Three different types of glass panels were used to construct this area: clear, silk-screened and colored. The second addition satisfies a requirement for an emergency escape staircase, and is also paneled with colored glass.
The firms sum up this design: "Building on transparency and reflection, the architects have made a strong statement with color at the ends of the building, an allusion to the vibrant, bold colors of the 1960s, which contrast the whiteness and brilliance newly captured in the remarkable form of the original church."
Now the Monique-Corriveau Library, the facility is named for a successful local children's author.
Take a look at the finished conversion below. All photos by Stéphane Groleau.
Related Stories
| Sep 18, 2012
MBMA partners with ORNL for whole building energy efficiency study
The results are intended to advance energy efficiency solutions for new and retrofit applications.
| Sep 18, 2012
MKK opens office in North Dakota
MKK is currently working on seven projects in North Dakota, including a hotel, restaurant, truck stop, office building, and apartment complex.
| Sep 18, 2012
Firestone Building Products launches new website
Deep product information and innovative customer support tools are highlights.
| Sep 13, 2012
Leo A Daly Company promotes Kraskiewicz to senior vice president
Kraskiewicz, who most recently served as chief operations officer for the Leo A Daly division, will guide brand management, business development, operations and financial performance for 18 offices worldwide.
| Sep 13, 2012
Acentech adds audiovisual expertise to Trevose, Penn. office
Artese focuses on advising, overseeing, and maintaining the client’s vision for the project from the initial kick-off meeting to the final commissioning of the completed systems.
| Sep 13, 2012
Margulies Perruzzi Architects completes office design for Pioneer Investments
MPA updated the office design and additional support space consisting of five floors at Pioneer’s Boston office located at 60 State Street.
| Sep 12, 2012
Harvesting new ways to eliminate waste at the USDA
After installing 20 high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers in restrooms throughout the USDA headquarters; the USDA reports seeing an immediate 50% reduction in the use of paper towels.
| Sep 11, 2012
RTKL appoints Lance Hosey as Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President
Author and authority on green design to spearhead RTKL Performance-driven DesignSM initiative.
| Sep 11, 2012
McQuade appointed CEO of Tishman Construction
McQuade will focus on driving the growth of the company into new markets and expanding market share in its current areas of operation.
| Sep 11, 2012
Ecosystem Management & Associates joins HDR
EM&A staff will do business as part of HDR Engineering and HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction.