Continuity with Old Aylmer
The form and spaces of Place des Pionniers are designed in continuity with the rich urban context of Old Aylmer. The composition of the building's volume harmonizes with that of adjacent buildings: at the corner of Court and Principale and near the mosque, the third floor gives way to terraces, bringing the height of the new building into line with that of its neighbors. Elsewhere, on Court Street, a recess highlights the presence of St. Andrew's Church from Principale Street. The ensemble's composition is also based on a network of interior and exterior spaces that extend the urban space, percolating through the site much like a public market. Outside, from Court Street, a generous carriage entrance establishes a new passage through the block to Park Street. From east to west, this passageway is also an extension of the park into the heart of the block and up to Court Street, an informal green lane from which passers-by, cyclists and delivery drivers can access the building. When the weather's fine, FabLab users can use this area as a bookshop alley. Like the porch on Principale Street, it's a place that encourages encounters and helps strengthen community ties. On festive days, it's easy to imagine the activity extending all the way to Symmes Street and the triangular lot of St. Andrew's Church.
Two programs in one
The extension of Old Aylmer's urban space across the site is not limited to the first floor. The architecture, landscape, street furniture and integrated furnishings all contribute to reinforcing Place des pionniers' participation in its environment, creating an open, luminous and safe ensemble that is easy to orientate. Beyond the porch, as you enter the building, close to the multi-purpose hall, you see the administration atrium on the left and the library atrium on the right. Between the two atriums, the elevator shafts are glazed and topped by a large skylight. This has the effect of creating a remarkable transparency and visually connecting the two entities of Place des Pionniers, anticipating in a way the eventual appropriation of the administrative spaces by the library. It was in anticipation of this appropriation, and also to offer pleasant and unique spaces to their occupants, that the spaces serving the municipal services were designed. The administration atrium provides a direct, active, bright and green link between all floors, including the basement. For the time being, it will be used by the administrative departments. The same applies to the double-height kitchen above the carriage entrance, which offers a double-height space. In the future, the uniqueness of these spaces will contribute to the pleasure of visiting the library.
A three-storey library
Whether the library expansion goes ahead or not, the library atrium will remain the focal point. Its large volume, topped by a wooden ceiling pierced by skylights that let in northern light, the presence of the tier, the visibility of many of the library's components, the colors of the finishes and the presence of its users will make it one of the most impressive places in Aylmer. The creation of this atrium and the interest in juxtaposing, rather than superimposing, the library's administrative spaces to promote horizontal links on the second and third floors motivated the decision to propose a three-storey library. This also favours greater openness to the park and the inclusion, on both the third and second floors, of several outdoor spaces offering views as far as the Ottawa River.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
POINTS OF INTEREST
+ The project offers very fine spatial experiences.
+ Very good urban response.
+ The opening onto Memorial Park is well emphasized, with the orientation and ambience of the alley and the porch on the main street facade.
+ The rhythms of the full-empty volumetry are well chosen, particularly for the visual openings.
+ Nice, encompassing and protected presence for pedestrians on the main street.
+ Good expression of verticality.
+ Beautiful treatment of gauge and massing that evokes links with the neighborhood.
+ Beautiful expression of the formalization of the entrance, a place of welcome, with the entrance porch and folding roof.
+ The alleyway is beautiful and friendly, evoking the Memorial Park that extends right into the project site.
QUESTION MARKS
- Reading and interpreting the context in terms of the materiality of the facades.
- The expression of the envelope in relation to its integration into the overall context.
+/- The boldness of the architectural expression.
+/- The expression seems overloaded with multiple colors.
+/- The interior spaces appear to be dedicated to a specific use, which may compromise the flexibility of future rearrangements.
+/- Interior materials, colors and textures seem to restrict flexibility.
+/- The expression and character of the architectural treatment, considered too personal, in relation to the neighborhood as a whole.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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