Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada

This competition launched by the Société de développement culturel de Terrebonne (SODECT), (Cultural Development Society of Terrebonne), aimed at the construction of a new 624-seat theatre to be located in Old Terrebonne. The site selected for this construction - a civic park along the Mille-Îles River was situated within an area under protection surrounding the Maison Bélisle - a classified cultural heritage property. The project was to permit the restructuring of Old Terrebonne and enhance the architectural heritage of the site by dialoguing with the city as well as the riverside landscape. This commission included three distinct parts; the construction of the theatre, the extension of an existing parking lot situated in the civic park and finally, the design of an exterior public space in front of the theatre. The new theatre was also to, "conserve the intimate character, proper to the traditional theatrical vocation of the Old Terrebonne Theatre - a particularity that distinguishes it from other venues within the region." (From the competition's programme, p.2). The winning project would also need to respond to current environmental preoccupations.

During the competition's initial stage, the architectural concept would need to demonstrate how the theatre's location strategy would permit to maximise the site and equipment's potential; the option being between two location and architectural integration hypotheses: pavilion or urban. In the second stage of the competition, competitors would need to justify their proposal's response to various stakes which included; the impact of the project within its immediate environment, the tectonic approach regarding the facades and exterior public space, the theatre's internal organization and functional systems, the method developed to assure the intimacy of the hall and the concerted approach developed regarding heritage and environment.

(CCC text)