One could not ask for more at this year’s awards gala for Quebec’s order of architects (OAQ).
It was a tremendous privilege and honor to work on such an important cultural landmark, renowned for its groundbreaking modernist architecture and mural. Together with Atelier 21, partners and suppliers, we embarked on a profound reflection on how best to preserve this fragile icon.
Our Grand Théâtre de Québec project was “bold” and “far from a sure bet,” highlighted the jury as it awarded Lemay’s team and Atelier 21 with the province’s highest architectural honour.
The evening could only be improved with the project’s win of Public’s Choice. The recognition that we have received from our peers and the community was particularly meaningful to the firm and our Quebec City team.
The project’s challenges were humbling, chiefly the inability to directly intervene on the concrete. But we thrived on constraints and drew on our resourcefulness and collaborative approach. The result is an innovative, glass casing.
“The new transparent casing literally and symbolically highlights a major modernist work of art in Quebec City, thereby perpetuating and updating its heritage value,” stated the jury upon awarding the project.
Working on this project allowed our team to create a meaningful statement out of a technically complex issue, heralding at the same time another new act for Quebec culture: the importance of preserving our modern urban heritage.
To find out more about the project and its innovative preservation solution, read our article.
