Archetech - Page 58
Beyond contemporizing the façade, the
building’s materiality deftly acts as a
beacon — important, as the structure is
set back from the nearby roads. The row
of shimmering columns gleams in the sun,
their reflectivity calling to passers-by as
well as amplifying and dramatizing the
surroundings, such as sunlight, vegetation,
and seasonal colours. The qualities of
the cladding also echo those of the bell
towers of the Église de la Purification-dela-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie, the oldest
church in the Montreal region. To contrast
the metal’s slickness, the three sinuous
volumes in the interior are clad in locally
sourced wood, which emanates warmth
under an array of skylights.
The classic-meets-contemporary appearance
helps establish a sense of familiarity and
the porous circulation allows the public
to weave through layers of the building,
informally experiencing the art. Visitors can
wander along through the newly landscaped
forecourt, crossing a slatted wooden
promenade that transverses the serenity
of the reflecting pool (which doubles as a
filter for storm water runoff ). They can walk
through the exterior colonnade, which also
functions as an open-air exterior gallery, and
absorb the creativity of the place without
stepping inside the building. Or they can
enter the interiors, and explore the galleries
of linger in the interior colonnade.
Importantly, the centre contributes to the
community regardless of the time of day.
At night, it acts as a lantern, activating
the surrounding park, and making serene
reflections