In May 2013, the City of Blainville in Quebec announced an architectural competition for the design of its new library. After a two-stage selection process and a shortlist of four architectural firms, the jury selected the proposal from Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux architectes and contractor COSOLTEC inc.
The design proposes a new generation of institution where the focus is community-oriented. To this end, the notion of the library as a ‘’Third Place’’ was important. Beyond the ‘’first’’ and ‘’second’’ places of home and work, there are social environments that support community life and which are vital to their health, providing a sense of place to the people living there. The 3,100-square-metre two-storey glue-laminated timber construction aims for LEED Silver certification, and will feature a multifunction room, café, a large fireplace opening onto lounge space, as well as integrating the latest library technology.
“Bibliothèque Paul-Mercier is a great opportunity for Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes to help build a quality city which is citizen-focused and designed sustainably,” according to Jean-Pierre LeTourneux, associate architect at Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux architectes.
The project’s budget is $12 million, with $2.9 million coming from the ministère de la Culture et des Communications as part of the Quebec government’s Agenda 21C.
For more information about the competition, please visit http://blainville.ca/actualites/bibliotheque-paul-mercier/