Diffusion En Scène has announced that the architectural team selected to oversee the design and construction of a new concert hall in Saint-Jérôme is Manon Asselin and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte (architects in consortium), with SDK et associés inc, Enerpro | SMi Inc. and Marchand Swell engineers. The jury met earlier this month to deliberate and arrive at a final decision.
The winning team, headed by architect Manon Asselin, has exceptional expertise in important cultural projects. Having won many architectural competitions, the firm has participated in the design and construction of several projects including the Theatre Vieux-Terrebonne, the Bibliothèque Raymond-Lévesque in Longueuil and more recently, the Fifth Pavilion for the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal. Following the call for submissions, three finalist firms were announced in April and asked to submit an architectural concept.
The jury was particularly impressed by the multidisciplinary consortium’s approach. The team’s proposed design fits perfectly to the site and creates an iconic presence. The use of wood and numerous ecological strategies, including geothermal energy, are among its strengths. The team is currently preparing plans and specifications for the project, expected to be complete by the end of autumn. Construction is scheduled to begin during spring 2015, and the concert hall is scheduled to open in September 2016. The 875-seat theatre is located close to Place de la Gare, on land donated by the Ville de Saint-Jérôme. The $21-million project benefits from a grant of $14.6 million from the Ministère de la Culture et des communications du Québec.