February 19, 2010

BOROUGH OF SAINT-LAURENT

The 5,800-square-metre library building will also house exhibition space and a museum collection conservation centre.

Construction to begin next year on Montreal library

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Construction is slated to get underway next year on a new library in the Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent following a recent province-wide architectural competition.

In addition to the library, the 5,800-square-metre building will include exhibition space and the Musee des maitres et artisans du Quebec’s collection conservation centre.

In compliance with Montreal’s policy on sustainable development for municipal buildings, LEED Gold certification is being targeted.

The winning proposal was submitted by a team composed of Cardinal Hardy/Labonte Marcil/Eric Pelletier Architectes en consortium/SDK et associes inc./Leroux Beaudoin Hurens et associes inc.

The borough said the architects will develop plans and specifications this year for the building, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2012. The total project cost is estimated at $29.6 million.

Flooring will be made of recycled materials. Maximum use will be made of natural light.

The exterior envelope will consist of cut stone, zinc cladding and kiln-dried lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The building will have a green roof.

FSC-certified wood, stained and varnished without the use of volatile organic compounds, will be incorporated in the cladding of the ceiling in the open mezzanine area.

Flooring will be made of recycled materials. Maximum use will be made of natural light.

The project also will incorporate measures designed to reduce overall water use by more than 40 per cent. Renewable energy sources will include photovoltaic solar panels and a geothermal heat source.

Parking lot lighting will use light-emitting diodes (LED) lights having a lifespan three times longer than high-pressure sodium lamps.

Light pollution will be reduced through use of fixtures that minimize light beams.

Rainwater management techniques will be incorporated in the project as well.

The architectural team said the new library “is a place where users will feel a sense of ownership — of knowledge, of culture, of the site itself — as well as discovery.

“This isn’t a project about architecture alone; it’s also about landscape.”

Located between Boulevard Thimens and Parc Marcel-Laurin, the new library integrates into the site by drawing on the major elements of the park.

“As such, the building connects the city with the surrounding landscape and serves as a point of connection that allows users to explore its site — inside and outside, from Boulevard Thimens as well as from the park.”

Funding is being provided by Quebec’s Ministry of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women and the city of Montreal.

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