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 In addition, "to accentuate the fluidity of this volume, the solid soffit above the window has been replaced by glass panel which allows each beam to visually slip seamlessly to its exterior steel base—a revelation of visual continuity," the firms said in a press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
| Dec 13, 2011
Lutron’s Commercial Experience Center awarded LEED Gold
LEED certification of the Lutron facility was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include: optimization of energy performance through the use of lighting power, lighting controls and HVAC, plus the use of daylight.
| Dec 12, 2011
AIA Chicago announces Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as 2011 Firm of the Year
SOM has been a leader in the research and development of specialized technologies, new processes and innovative ideas, many of which have had a palpable and lasting impact on the design profession and the physical environment.
| Dec 12, 2011
Skanska to expand and renovate hospital in Georgia for $103 Million
The expansion includes a four-story, 17,500 square meters clinical services building and a five-story, 15,700 square meters, medical office building. Skanska will also renovate the main hospital.
| Dec 12, 2011
CRSI design awards deadline extended to December 31
The final deadline is extended until December 31st, with judging shortly thereafter at the World of Concrete.
| Dec 12, 2011
Mojo Stumer takes top honors at AIA Long Island Design Awards
Firm's TriBeCa Loft wins "Archi" for interior design.
| Dec 10, 2011
10 Great Solutions
The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.
| Dec 10, 2011
Energy performance starts at the building envelope
Rainscreen system installed at the west building expansion of the University of Arizona’s Meinel Optical Sciences Center in Tucson, with its folded glass wall and copper-paneled, breathable cladding over precast concrete.
| Dec 10, 2011
Turning Balconies Outside In
Operable glass balcony glazing systems provide solution to increase usable space in residential and commercial structures.