Library Buildings around the World

Description of the winning project
In compliance with Montréal’s policy on sustainable development for municipal buildings, the project is aiming to obtain LEED
“Gold” certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). A true cultural gathering place, the new building will
include, in addition to the library, an exhibition space as well as the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec’s collection
conservation center. The building will consolidate the role of the Boulevard Thimens civic axis and also help enhance the value of the
Parc Marcel-Laurin woodland by providing it with a new point of entry. The winning team, for its part, stated: “The new Saint-
Laurent library is a place where users will feel a sense of ownership—of knowledge, of culture, of the site itself—as well as discovery.
This isn’t a project about architecture alone: it’s also about landscape. Located between Boulevard Thimens and Parc Marcel-
Laurin, the new library integrates into the site by drawing on the major elements of the park. As such, the building connects the city
with the surrounding landscape, and serves as a point of connection that allows users to explore its site—inside and outside, from
Boulevard Thimens as well as from the park. Visitors will discover the building by approaching it from a variety of spaces both
intimate and dramatic, spaces that, by offering a variety of access pathways, set the stage for the site as well as for its users.”
According to the established schedule, the winning firm will develop the plans and specifications for the new building throughout
2010. Construction will begin in 2011 and continue into 2012. The building is slated to open at the end of 2012.
(http://raddblog.wordpress.com)
Anne Carrier, Lévin,QC – Canada
http://www.acarchitecte.com
Libraries :
Bibliothèque Félix Leclerc, Val-Belair, Ville de Québec, QC – Canada 2009
Awards :
Prix d’excellence 2009 de la construction en acier de l’ICCA-Québec quebec.cisc-icca.ca/excellence 09.19 Agrandissement de la
Bibliothèque Félix Leclerc, Québec
Pour une expression équilibrée de l’espace comportant à la fois de la rigueur et une intégration harmonieuse entre l’acier, le bois et
le verre. Dans la nouvelle partie de la bibliothèque de Val-Bélair, à Québec, l’acier est apparent partout, à l’intérieur comme à
l’extérieur. La structure d’acier du bâtiment existant, construit en 1987, devait être remise aux normes, notamment sismiques. On a
choisi d’insérer un mur de refend ductile en acier, une technique utilisée pour la première fois à Québec. Dès l’amorce du projet, on
a voulu faire participer la structure à l’expression architecturale. Le voile de bois structural est soutenu par des poutres d’acier qui
trament l’espace, puis s’effacent devant la grande baie de fenestration s’ouvrant sur le parc. Toutes les parois de verre ont également
une structure d’acier supportant les meneaux. La finesse de l’acier et la minceur du pontage de bois donnent une grande légèreté à la
toiture. À l’arrière, un oculus a été percé au-dessus d’une oeuvre d’art. (Carrier)
Bibliothèque René-Richard et Centre d´archives régional de Charlevoix, Ville de Baie-Saint Paul, QC
Canada 1998
Située entre l´´eglise at l´aréna sur un site originellement dèsorgsanisé mais hautement stratégique, la nouvelle bibliothéque permet
de lier deux pôles important, l´église et l´aréna, en requalifant un parcours générateur d´activités culturelles, en plein coeur du
secteur patrimonial de Baie-Saint-Paul. Le corps principal du nouveau bâtiment s´implante naturallement le long de la rue Forget,
sur les traces d´une ancienne grange, tandis que la section nord reprend discrétement l´alignement des terres ancestrales. La
transparence de la façade et la pente du toit affirment l´appartenance de la bibliothèque à l´espace collectif. Un volume opaque
abritant la salle d´animation vient s´y loger, rèvélant son contenu à l´espace public par une large virtrine. L´intervention atténue la
présence de l´aréna et accompagne les piétons entre la rue Fafard et la secteur nord de la ville. Pour appuyer ce geste, la bâtiment
s´ouvre radicalement sur la rue et se ferme à lárrière, où il ne laisse filtrer que la lumière naturelle requise. (Carrier)
CEI Architecture, Vancouver, BC – Canada
http://www.ceiarchitecture.com
Libraries:
Okanagan Regional Library Vernon Branch, Vernon, BC – Canada 2012
Client: Okanagan Regional Library, $ 12.600.000, 30.000 sqft.
Awards:
Excellence Award, Community category 2012
Thompson Okanagan Commercial Building Awards
Judges’ Choice, 2012
Libraries are welcoming and inspiring places for all who seek information and knowledge, and are evolving from being perceived as
book repositories to community service centres. Flexibility for the future is more important now than ever.
Working cooperatively with the ORL Team and TASK Construction Management, we endeavored to ensure that the New Vernon
Library is configured to meet the changing needs of users and tap the potential of emerging technologies. Using our ‘Listen-First’
approach to design, this project promises to be a model for community sustainability, enhancing access, promoting literacy, and
ensuring a healthy environment for users and staff.
The design phase of the project was initiated with our signature Design Charrette. This intensive three-day event involved members
of the ORL Board, ORL executive staff, Vernon Library staff, Library users, Community Groups, Representatives from the City of
Vernon, and the entire Design Team. The results of the charrette are manifest in the final plans for the project and show the
strength of an Integrated Design Process. The building design met the many different objectives of the project and resulted in a
unique expression that is current, while still responding to the past.
The area of the new library has expanded, now with 30,000 square feet over two floors of modern, open space boasting city-wide
views and lots of natural light. The main floor features a kids area, teen area and a 125-person community meeting room opening
directly to the street. Upstairs via an open staircase flooding both floors with natural light are public internet stations, a computer
lab and study space, smaller meeting room, adult reading area and offices for library staff. (CEI)
Tommy Douglas Library, Burnaby, BC – Canada 2009
Client: City of Burnaby, Costs: $ 9.100.000, Size: 15.500 sqft.
Awards:
Tommy Douglas Library achieves LEED Gold, May 17, 2012
Library Building Award of Merit, 2010, BC Library Association
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