Scale
The intervention for the Laval University School of Architecture is envisaged as a large steel clad volume, enclosing the Northern edge of the existing courtyard. The re-affirmation of the courtyard as the heart of the school is achieved by unifying the ground surface and concentrating all the school's access within.
A continuous stepped border, to the Eastern edges, accommodates seating, facilitates access to the school and allows for casual interaction, in the evening light.
A facetted form bridges the existing void, anchored to the school through the re-imagination of the vertical circulation, in turn providing a naturally lit exhibition space, deep in the section.
Connection to an auditorium across this exhibition space at the lowest level provides universal access. The semi enclosed auditorium is embedded in the natural slope of the site. The new vertical routes bound the exhibition space before branching into the design spaces and existing buildings at a higher level, ensuring that this volume is constantly vibrant and full of movement, activity and, indeed, the student's work.
At the bridging level, a new construction laboratory overlooks the courtyard. The folded-plate structure presents an armoured façade that dissolves as the visitor traverses the exterior space. The extrapolation of the structure allows for wedges of even natural light, white shielding the interior from the midday sun.
The facetted structure is accentuated through the use of steel shingles, painted white. This material not only re¬flects the existing roofing of the school, but also refer¬ences traditional Canadian building techniques.
The scheme interacts with the rest of the city through establishing the entrance with an iconic form which maximises visual impact white minimising imposition on the historic grain. This pure form gives the school a presence in the city white giving a glimpse of the larger scale intervention, enticing the visitor in.
(Competitor's text)
17 scanned / 15 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Perspective
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Section
- Section
- Section
- Section
- Axonometric Drawing
- Sketch
