This proposal positions the Musée d'art contemporain (MAC) on the national and international scene by diversifying and increasing its capacity to accommodate diverse artistic mediums, rivaling the largest museum institutions. This transformation is coupled with flexible educational spaces, open to the public and adjacent to the museum program, reinforcing its institutional mission. At the urban level, this new identity is communicated by a proximity to Sainte-Catherine Street and large programmatic windows on the Place des Festivals and Place des Arts. Thus, the project is strongly anchored in a rich urban context by composing with it and by assuming a strong and distinct identity. A continuous link is created between the public and contemporary art, both inside and out, as evidenced by the proposed envelope and the articulation of the vertical circulation that weaves through the exhibition areas in the atrium.
The new exhibition areas are in line with the changing spatial needs identified in the evolution of contemporary art. This is the conceptual basis of the project, which is to offer ample, flexible and oversized spaces. This diversification of the proposed spaces allows for the accommodation of a wide variety of works that can be articulated vertically, horizontally, in compression, or ephemeral. By opting for a "rough and ready" strategy, we have invested heavily in new spaces dedicated to exhibitions and education. The development therefore proposes, beyond the required program, 350 ma of additional exhibition space, 340 ma of outdoor exhibition space, 130 ma of additional educational space, and exhibition areas that range from 10 to 22 meters in height, or 70 meters in length. This approach will ensure the sustainability of the MAC as an institution capable of accommodating and supporting the evolution of contemporary art and its institutional mission.
The new MAC is strongly oriented on Sainte-Catherine Street. The new entrance is now located at the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Montreal, easily visible and identifiable to pedestrians coming from the east or west, and even from the south on Jeanne-Mance Street. The decompartmentalization of the existing exhibition hall on Sainte-Catherine above the entrance clearly signals the identity of the MAC. The vestibule is a compressed space, serving as an airlock between the exterior and the new oversized spaces. Here, upon entering, visitors can orient themselves in the space with direct views of the central staircase, elevators, store, café, audiovisual rooms, and bookstore. This subway level is designed as a vast open plan, facilitating access from Sainte-Catherine or Place des Arts, with large visual spans and dramatic spaces. The store is located to have access to the street, Place des Arts, and the lobby. The dedicated entrance to the restaurant and the store window are inserted into the main facade of the museum and now allow for independent and visible access from the public domain.
In fact, this dedicated entrance on Sainte-Catherine Street allows customers direct access, without having to enter the exhibition rooms, to level two, where the restaurant occupies two floors with its terrace overlooking the Place des Festivals. In addition, adjacent to the restaurant, the new cantilevered exhibition room can be accessed outside of the museum's hours of operation by using the elevator dedicated to the restaurant. This second level also houses a 340 m2 outdoor terrace that faces Place des Arts. It is important to note that all the common spaces on level two are potentially accessible 24 hours a day, without giving access to the museum, thanks to a system of mobile partitions.
A strong signal of the MAC's transformation is communicated by this new room on level two, which is designed to host exhibitions or conferences of any kind. The large openings of this room align with the circulation vectors and overlook the Place des Festivals and the Place des Arts, orienting the public with the urban context. Here, we have favored a plan that allows for a wide variety of events: conferences, contemporary dance, exhibitions, fashion shows, banquets, etc. We therefore propose a free plan with a large overhang, without deployable bleachers, to promote flexibility of arrangements. It is however possible, within the proposed plan, to place deployable bleachers on the north side of this room. In addition, this room can be placed in "blackout" mode with automated blinds that integrate with the mullions.
It is important to note that the proposed location of the educational spaces publicly displays the institutional vocation of the MAC. With workshops open to the esplanade and St. Catherine Street, the educational dimension is emphasized in transparency and becomes clearly visible from the outside. In addition, the transformation of the rotunda into a playroom and flexible exhibition space dedicated to young people will increase the scope and visibility of the museum's educational component.
The museum's interior finishes seek to distinguish the museum's internal language, while enhancing its heritage. Bare columns and slabs reveal the original raw concrete, creating an authentic contrast with the new white surfaces. The polished concrete floors allow for ease of operation through the various artistic uses. The central staircase is covered with translucent resin panels that capture light from the atrium and bring it down to the basement, while remaining neutral in the visual language of the space so as not to infringe on the reading of the artwork. On the exterior, the oversized clear glass panels give a strong signature to the transformation, without appealing to the formal gesture, leaving all the room for the interior program. When closed, the blinds are white on the exterior, or can display a permanent work such as the 1%. This approach also applies to the roof. The opaque panels of the extension are made of white gloss painted aluminum. This allows a different reading of the concrete/curtain wall character of the current urban context, while reflecting the complexity and diversity of this cultural district. These material choices distinguish between the original MAC and the new transformation, while maintaining a harmonious reading of a single institution.
The main circulation of the museum is pedestrian, thus favoring a gradual and human reading of the various exhibition areas. Placed in the center of the museum, the staircases approach Sainte-Catherine Street and are at the epicenter of the transformation, without forgetting to serve the northern portion of the museum. At the level of the esplanade, a traffic intersection allows visitors to easily find their way in a north-south or east-west axis. The new panoramic elevator, placed in the existing atrium, allows views of the Place des Festivals. The glass landing doors provide greater transparency on each floor, particularly at the level of the level two esplanade, with an east-west exterior view from the interior. The location of this elevator consolidates an existing vertical transportation core, balancing the large group distribution between the north and south wings of the museum.
Structural work begins with the seismic retrofitting of the building. The addition of the strong, rigid walls increases the protection of the museum's visitors, staff and collection. The walls are arranged to minimize the impact on the museum program and parking lot. These walls support the entire surface of the structure in order to minimize the work required on the diaphragm. They are rigid to limit damage to the façade during seismic events. In addition, the beams at the subway level will be reinforced since it is at this level that the building loads are transferred to the foundation columns. The strength and rigidity of the new structure allows for a light and bold structure that will house the new museum program. The auditorium will be built on a steel cantilever. Through pedestrian vibration analysis, we have ensured that the structure is rigid enough to accommodate large events, while respecting the requirements of the first floor setback and the transparency of the façade. Other structural interventions prioritize simplicity and harmony with the existing structure. Any structure within the existing building will be encased in concrete and any structure above or around it will be made of steel.
(Competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Pros:
- Effective project.
- Good understanding and application of the program.
- Very functional project and facilitates the operations of the museum.
- The management and control of the rooms allows the development of a much more elaborate programming.
- Clear and efficient interior circulation.
- Optimal use of the basement.
- The visitor's experience at the MAC is greatly improved.
- The location of the restaurant towards the Place des Festivals is a judicious choice for increasing the number of visitors to the museum. The restaurant's two-level layout with an outdoor terrace is a major attraction.
- This project is by far the most profitable in terms of self-sustaining revenue from the rental of various spaces.
- The modification of the BWR room allows for exhibition versatility.
- Interesting seismic analysis.
- Interventions in existing building are limited.
Cons:
- There is some weakness in the dialogue with the Esplanade.
- The design of the "ESPLANADE" level does not allow for a meaningful connection to the public square.
- There is a lack of flexibility in the design of the atrium. This large void does not contribute to the animation and natural lighting of the esplanade level.
- The jury perceives a lack of sensitivity in the proposal.
- The visitor is confronted with three entrances (museum, store, restaurant) when arriving on the Saint Catherine side.
- The installation of a checkroom at the corner of Jeanne-Mance and Sainte-Catherine is not a good choice in terms of the potential visibility offered.
- The proposed sustainable development measures are not well developed.
- Good theoretical proposal of the concept, but its concretization does not convince. The main and unifying idea is sought.
- Sober and conventional architecture without innovation in its proposal, its treatment is not developed enough.
- The choice of "rough & ready" finishes proposed is a weakness of the project.
Reservations:
- Feasibility to be validated by a value analysis.
- Validate the treatment in front of the main entrance.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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