The Maisonneuve Library is at the heart of a working-class district in the eastern part of Montreal. The project involved restoring a former City Hall, opened in 1912, to its original splendour. The jury report described the winning competition entry as a beautiful dance between two eras.PROJECT Maisonneuve Library, restoration and extensionARCHITECT EVOQ ArchitecturePROJECT Octogone Library, transformation and extensionARCHITECT Anne Carrier Architecture in consortium with Les architectes Labont MarcilTEXT Odile HnaultPHOTOS Adrien WilliamsLate last spring, as I was lining up outside Montreals Thtre du Nouveau Monde, waiting for the doors to open, I started a casual conversation with the person nearest me. At one point, totally out of the blue, she asked: Have you visited Montreals new libraries? Before I had a chance to answer, she went on: You know, they are the result of architectural competitions. A great system! I couldnt help laughing and thinking this was the moment I had long been waiting for The word was spreading! The news was reaching the public!Over the past three decades, the Quebec government has gradually set in place an enviable competition system for cultural buildingsthat is, museums, theatres, interpretation centres, and libraries. It results from a policy adopted in June 1992 by the provinces Ministry of Culture, which aimed at holding public competitions for cultural facility projects presented by municipalities and organizations and produced with the assistance of government grants, the cost of which is over $2 million (Ministre de la Culture du Qubec, La politique culturelle du Qubec, 1992).The formidable historic stone columns remind visitors of an earlier era filled with hope and enthusiasm.A new cultural landscapeThanks to this policy, a new cultural landscape has gradually emerged across Quebecs major cities as well as in its smaller municipalities. Competitions have been behind the design of at least 16 theatres, 20 museums of various sizes, and numerous interpretative pavilions. As far as libraries are concerned, the wave of competitions started in 2001 with the small Bibliothque de Chteauguay (by Atelier TAG with JLP architectes). Since then, more than 20 libraries were the object of competitions. Several of these new cultural institutions have gone on to win awards, and to be covered in journals such as Canadian Architect.The benefits to the public are obvious, even though the average Montrealer (with the exception of my theatre-going friend) is mostly unaware of the competition process at work. Needless to say, architects have gained a lot from this policy, which has allowed them to explore ideas and concepts they might not have been able to address in a standard RFP system. Steel portals and spatial voids were introduced to emphasize the transition from the light-filled contemporary wings to the more subdued ambiance of the original building.Two competitionsIt is often presumed that while design competitions may be suitable for new-builds, the complexities of additions and renovations put them out of reach for competitions. However, the contrary is proving to be the case: quite a few of Quebecs library competitions have been for additions or the quasi-total transformation of existing buildings.This is the case for two recently-inaugurated amenities in Montreal: the Maisonneuve Library and LOctogone both fit into this latter category. They are also among the largest of the citys 45 branch public libraries, including seven that were the objects of architectural competitions. Both Maisonneuve and LOctogone existed as libraries before 2017, when separate competitions were launched to renovate and expand them.Elements of the historical building were meticulously restored, including an ornate cast iron stair and stained glass skylight. ABove The east wing stairs illustrate the architects sober colour palette and respectful choice of materials.The Maisonneuve LibraryThe Maisonneuve Library is a rather unique case, since it is sited in a historic City Hallpart of a grand City Beautiful plan carried by a few enlightened entrepreneurs, who developed this sector of Montreal at the turn of the 20th century. Opened in 1912, their new City Hall only filled its role for a short period as the heavily indebted Cit de Maisonneuve was amalgamated to Montreal in 1918. The Beaux-Arts building, designed by architect Louis-Joseph Cajetan Dufort, remained standing through the last century, relatively unalteredthankfullyby its successive occupants. In 1981, it became part of Montreals public library network.Key to the design concept was the introduction of a tower off the east wing, containing a vertical circulation core and serving as the librarys universally accessible entrance.Four teams were selected to take part in the Maisonneuve Library competition: in situ atelier darchitecture + DMA architects; Saucier + Perrotte/DFS inc.; Chevalier Morales Architectes; and Dan Hanganu architectes + EVOQ Architecture. All four teams are considered to be among Quebecs most creative architectural firms, a reputation they acquired mostly through competitions. They were paid the pre-tax sum of $82,000 to take part in the competition, a sum which was included in the winning teams eventual contract.Site PlanThe challenge for the four teams was to triple the size of the 1,240-square-metre original facility with a contemporary intervention that would pay homage to the former City Hall. The Hanganu-EVOQ team had a definite advantage, EVOQ being one of very few offices in Quebec with a strong expertise in heritage preservation. Their parti was therefore centred on restoring the historic building (then in an advanced state of disrepair) to its original splendour, and treating it as a jewel inserted at the centre of a sober, contemporary composition. The alignment of the new curtain walls and the rhythm of a brise-soleil took their cues from the existing neoclassical colonnade.Elements of the historical building were meticulously restored, including an ornate cast iron stair and stained glass skylight. ABove The east wing stairs illustrate the architects sober colour palette and respectful choice of materials.On the exterior, stone faades and monumental doors were carefully restored. On the interior, similar attention was paid to the original plaster mouldings, wood panelling, and mosaic floors. The former piano nobiles marble staircase and its two imposing stained-glass features were painstakingly restored by a team of remarkable artisans, who still work using traditional construction methods.Key to the design concept was the introduction of a tower off the east wing, containing a vertical circulation core and serving as the librarys universally accessible entrance.Every effort was made by EVOQwhich now includes the late Dan Hanganus former teamto ensure the library would be fully accessible to all. This led to the design of a circular entrance pavilion, projecting from the east wing. An architectural promenade takes one from the new entrance, through the historic building, and onwards to the west wing. A sheer delight. The subtly handled transition points between old and new celebrate the original 1900s monument and the skill of its builders.A reading area, located on the west wings second level, includes a playful shelf-wall intended to appeal to children and youth.Slightly less convincing is the west wings shelf wall, visible from Ontario Street. It reflects an influence from Sou Fujimoto Architects Musashino Art University Museum & Library in Tokyo (2010), with its striking wooden shelving doubling as wall structure. In both cases, aesthetics seem to have been chosen over utility as any books stored in these areas are challenging to access.While intent on keeping alive the memory of the past, the local librarians simultaneously embraced the progressive outlook of the International Federation of Library Associations and Federations (IFLA). The Maisonneuve Library looks clearly to the future, particularly in its mission is to improve local levels of digital literacy. Gone are the administrative offices hidden away from the public: staff members wheel mobile stations around the building, plugging into a large array of floor outlets. The librarys offerings also now include a playful childrens area, a Media Lab, and a small roof garden. Silence is no longer the rule, except for in a few enclosed spaces.In the new design, the librarys three wingsevocative of a windmills bladesare arrayed around a central hub.Octogone LibraryAnother major library competition was also launched in 2017: this one for Octogone Library, in a totally distinct environment situated towards the western tip of the Montreal Island. A suburban street pattern is prevalent in the borough and the site of the library is off a banal commercial strip. The areas most interesting feature is perhaps the adjoining Parc Flix Leclerc, with its gentle landscape and large weeping willows.The original Octogone Library building was the outcome of decades-long advocacy efforts by the local community, which did, finally, lead to the government commitment for a public library in 1983. The following year, a low-scale, rather Brutalist building opened its doors to the public. The architects were Bisson, Hbert et Bertomeu. The long-awaited amenity was named Centre culturel de lOctogone in reference to its role in the community and to its geometry.When the 2017 competition was launched for a renovation and addition to the existing building, the resulting proposals aimed to perpetuate the memoryand the nameof the 1984 building. Again, four teams were selected to participate in the competition: Atelier Big City with LOeuf; BGLA with Blouin Tardif architects; EVOQ Architecture with Groupe A; and finally, Anne Carrier architecture in consortium with Labont Marcil, the winning team. The octagonal foundations were deemed solid enough to handle the loads of a new construction, but the existing walls presented competitors with a number of difficulties.The site plan demonstrates urban design firm civilitis attention to the librarys immediate grounds and to the larger heritage-designated site.Carrier and Labont Marcils entry was, as noted by the jury, a vigorous and joyous response to the program. The team had opted not to adhere too closely to the original octagonal plan and to refer instead to a far more significant symbol for LaSalle citizens, the 1827 Fleming Mill. The projects most striking feature is a central helicoidal stair, or hub, which immediately attracts attention as one enters from either side of the new building.A central helicoidal staircase is a stunning feature of the library.The second-level plan is laid out to evoke a mills three giant blades revolving around a central pivot, which culminates in a quiet, more secluded, circular space enlivened by an airy artwork. Produced by artist Karilee Fuglem, this piece alludes to LOctogones extensive collection of graphic novels and comicsthe largest such collection in Montreals library network.A second-floor view shows the buildings three levels, from the main entrance below to a small, secluded reading area at the top.ConclusionWhile architectural competitions have yet to spread across Canada, Quebec can boast a rich repository of experience in this domain. At the end of three decades, and with dozens of projects successfully built through the competition process, the provinces landscape of libraries, theatres, and museums is obvious proof that competitions are worth the effort.Of course, there are improvements to be made. The process has gradually been burdened with overly complicated programmatic specificationssome preliminary documents are now up to several hundred pages long. The constraint of tight budgetary commitments in a highly volatile context can also seriously hinder creativity. But in the end, despite the need to revisit and simplify the process, a healthy competition culture has emerged, not just in Montreal and Quebec City, but all over the province.At 32 years old, Quebecs architecture policy is entering middle-age, and its perhaps worth considering how it might be adjusted to prompt even more innovative, mature expressions of architecture. Can programs be loosened to allow for more daring concepts? Is there a place for open design competitions, creating opportunities for younger generations of architects? Despite some shortcomings experienced over the last three decades, Quebec has successfully put competitions to the test. And the rest of Canada could learn from it.Odile Hnault is a contributing editor to Canadian Architect. She was the professional advisor for two pilot competitions that led to the adoption of the Quebec Ministry of Cultures 1992 policy on architectural competitions.Maisonneuve LibraryCLIENTS Ville de Montraland Arrondissement Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | ARCHITECT TEAM EVOQGilles Prudhomme, Sylvie Peguiron, Marianne Leroux, Georges Drolet, Nathan Godlovitch, Anne-Catherine Richard, Lynda Labrecque, Simona Rusu, Alexis Charbonneau | ARCHITECT (HISTORIC BUILDING, 1911) Louis-Joseph Cajetan Dufort | LANDSCAPE civiliti | ENVELOPE ULYS Collectif | STRUCTURAL NCK | CIVIL Gnipur | MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL Pageau Morel | ENVELOPE/QUALITY CONTROL UL CLEB | ELEVATOR EXIM | DOORS, HARDWARE SPECIALISTS ARD | COMMISSIONING Cima+| FURNITURE/SIGNAGE/MULTIMEDIA GSMProject | ERGONOMICS Vincent Ergonomie | LIGHTING LightFactor | SUSTAINABILITY WSP | ACOUSTICS Octave | METAL/HISTORIC DOORS M&B Mtalliers | MOSAIC Arts Mtiers dart | ORNAMENTAL PLASTERS Pltres Artefact | MASONRY Maonnerie Rainville et Frres | CONSERVATOR/MASONRY Trevor Gillingwater | STONECUTTERS Alexandre, Tailleurs de pierres + sculpteurs | STAINED GLASS Studio du verre | ARTIST (PUBLIC ART) Clment de Gaulejac | AREA 3,594 m2 | construction bUDGET $38.6 M | COMPLETION June 2023Octogone LibraryCLIENTS Ville de Montral and arrondissement lasalle | ARCHITECT TEAM AC/AAnne Carrier (FIRAC), Robert Boily, Martin LHbreux, Patricia Pronovost, Mathieu St-Amant, Andre-ve Gaudreault, Brenda Ct. LES ARCHITECTES LABONT MARCIL IN CONSORTIUMPierre Labont, Jean Marcil, Andranne Gaudet, MICHEL DESMARAIS | Structural/mechanical/electrical EXP | LANDSCAPE Rousseau Lefevre | INTERIORS Anne Carrier Architecture/les Architectes Labont Marcil en consortium | CONTRACTOR Dcarel | ergonomics VINCENT ERGONOMIE | acoustics Octave | SCENOGRAPHY GO MULTIMEDIA | aRTISTS (PUBLIC ART) CLAUDE LAMARCHE (1984), KARILEE FUGLEM (2024) | AREA 4,500 m2 | BUDGET $28.6 M | COMPLETION October 2024As appeared in the November 2024 issue of Canadian Architect magazineThe post What Quebec can teach Canada about competitions appeared first on Canadian Architect.