Architectural competition for Saint-Laurent's new library - Four finalists
selected

SAINT-LAURENT, QC, Sept. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Saint-Laurent Borough Council today adopted a resolution confirming the jury's selection of four finalists in the architectural competition for Saint-Laurent's new library. The selection concludes Phase 1 of the competition.

"For our citizens, the construction of a new library is one of the most eagerly awaited projects in the borough," stated Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint-Laurent. "Like them, I am delighted that the project is moving forward. I'll be following the next steps with great interest, and I wish all finalists the best of luck."

The four finalists

The Borough of Saint-Laurent received 28 applications for the competition. After studying the submissions, the competition jury selected four finalists on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in the competition's rules.

    
    The four finalists are, in alphabetical order:

    - ACDF* architecture (Allaire Courchesne Dupuis Frappier architectes)/
      SNC Lavalin/CLA ingénieurs
    - Cardinal Hardy/Labonté Marcil/Éric Pelletier Architectes en consortium/
      Leroux Beaudoin Hurens et associés inc./SDK et associés inc.
    - Chevalier Morales Architectes/Les Architectes FABG/Tecsult-AECOM inc.
    - Provencher Roy + associés/Anne Carrier Architectes en consortium/Les
      consultants S.M. inc./Bouthillette Parizeau et associés inc.
    

The jury met in Saint-Laurent on September 14 and 15, 2009, in keeping with the competition timetable. The seven members chose a jury chair from among themselves, with Lise Bissonnette , journalist, author and former CEO of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, being selected.

"Jury members were delighted by the high number of applications received and by the quality of applicants," stated Ms. Bissonnette . "The selection process was both stimulating and exciting. On behalf of the jury, I would like to thank all the firms that entered the competition."

In addition to Ms. Bissonnette , the jury consisted of Jean-Pierre Chupin, Ph.D., full professor, architect, and science director of the Université de Montréal's Laboratoire d'étude de l'architecture potentielle (LEAP); Marie-Claude Le Sauteur, architect, representing the Borough of Saint-Laurent; Claude Létourneau, architect; Éric Paquet, urbanist, representing the Borough of Saint-Laurent; Peter Soland , architect and landscape architect; and Lise Tremblay , architect and LEED-accredited professional.

Next step

During Phase 2, the four finalists will be asked to produce a design sketch/concept. The jury will meet again in December 2009 to choose the winning project, which it will then recommend to Borough Council.

Description of project

The new building, scheduled to open at the end of 2012, will be firmly anchored in the 21st century and designed in keeping with the highest quality standards. The library will serve as a cultural hub that strengthens the existing recreational-civic vocation of Boulevard Thimens. Green, multi-faceted and designed to a human scale, the library will fill a long-standing need of the Saint-Laurent community.

In compliance with Montréal's policy on sustainable development for municipal buildings, adopted in June 2009 , the new building is aiming to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) "Gold" certification.

The project is receiving financial support from the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine (Quebec's ministry of culture, communications and the status of women) and the Ville de Montréal under the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal 2008-2011 (2008-2011 agreement on Montréal's cultural development).

For further information: Louise Amiot, architect and professional competition adviser, Fax: [phone], [email protected]; Source: Geneviève Bouchard, Communications Officer, Ville de Montréal, Borough of Saint-Laurent, [phone], ext. 4058