*베르됭 서커스 스쿨 아트센터 [ Les Architectes FABG ] New Cultural Venue in Montreal

문화는 건축물이라는 한정적인 공간에서만 이루어지는 것이 아닙니다.
넓게는 지역적으로 도시적으로 형성되며 형성된 바운더리 안에서는 고유한
캐릭터를 가지게 됩니다. 그리고 그것들을 영유하고 발전시키는 매개체-인간-을 통하여
끝없이 순환되며 다른 바운더리와도 교류하고 또한 확장하게 됩니다.
이번 베르됭에 새롭게 제안되는 아트센터는 지역의 고유한 문화를 발전 계승하는 동시에
리노베이션을 통한 지역문화의 미래에 대한 비전을 제시합니다.
크게는 아트센터는 비롯한 인근지역의 문화리노베이션을 통한
문화공감대 형성 그리고 작게는 아트센터를 통한 베르됭의 서커스 스쿨과
다양한 퍼포먼스로 통합되는 문화공간 창출입니다.
이러한 문화공감대의 중심공간으로써 아트센터는 주변을 기능적으로 연결하는
기능과 랜드스케이핑을 관망할 수 있는 뷰포인트를 포함하는 랜드마크를 목표로 합니다.
이것은 베르됭의 문화를 새롭게 정의하는 구심점이자 허브의 역활을 수반하여
장차 베르됭의 퍼포밍아트와 서커스 아트가 발전할 수 있도록 도와주는
배후공간이 될 것입니다.
또한 기존의 일반적이며 전형적인 극장과는 차별화되는 극장 시스템은
다양한 퍼포먼스와 프로그램을 수행하는 동시에
청중들과도 적극적인 관계를 갖을 수 있도록 계획함으로써
열린 복합문화공간으로 제안됩니다.

reviewed by SJ

Les Architectes FABG is the winning firm in the architecture competition for a new cultural venue adjacent to the St. Lawrence River in Montreal's Verdun Borough. The project includes a professional theater and also provides for redevelopment and expansion of Verdun's circus school, the École de cirque de Verdun.

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Regarding the competition-winning entry by Les Architectes FABG, the jury praised the quality of atmospheres, the development of the nearby river and the views of the surrounding landscape and the overall functionality. The jury emphasized the artistic signature of the projects submitted in the competition.

"We organized architecture competitions in order to develop a project meeting the challenge of converting the former Aréna Guy-Gagnon into a high-quality artistic venue that helps bridge the gap between the audience and the performers," explained Verdun Borough Mayor Claude Trudel, in congratulating the winning firm.

"We were concerned about making a connection between the building and the river as well as the park in which the building is located. This project is meant to be a sign of distinctiveness, yet integration, boldness and exemplariness, from an environmental standpoint," explained Éric Gauthier, a partner at Les Architectes FABG.

On the whole, the project aims at creating a hub for performing arts and circus arts in Verdun. The former arena (located at 5190, boulevard LaSalle) will be redeveloped and slightly expanded in order to better accommodate the existing Studios B and A: A cultural venue will be set up in Studio B. The new, expanded facilities will be more than a traditional theater: they will be used as a venue for creation, production and promotion for various cultural organizations in the arts field. These facilities will include a mediation room, allowing for synergy between the performers and the audience before the shows, as well as an exhibition hall and areas for the performers' living quarters.

Currently, École de cirque de Verdun is located in Studio A, which is to be redeveloped and expanded.

"We want to make Verdun a real cultural hub which—in addition to this cultural venue project—also includes La Station, recognized as a historical monument, which has been restored and converted into an intergenerational centre, inaugurated last week in the L’Île-des-Soeurs neighbourhood, and Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier, a museum and archaeological site located on boulevard LaSalle," pointed out Mayor Trudel.

"The materialization of this project to set up this new cultural venue is a fine example of the efforts invested by Montreal's Administration, which aims at positioning culture at the very heart of the development of our metropolis. In fact, Ville de Montréal recently adopted a resolution making culture one of the four pillars of sustainable development—a dynamic force that is making our city a major cultural metropolis. This new cultural venue is consolidating our cultural network and is thereby tangibly embodying the objectives of Réseau Accès culture's 2010-2014 Action Plan. Moreover, the outstanding architecture that will define this new performing arts hub is bringing to light the importance we attach to design—a strategic force not only for the development and recognition of our city, but also a key to improving our residents living environment," added Helen Fotopulos, responsible for culture, heritage, design and the status of women on Ville de Montréal's Executive Committee.

Over the coming months, Les Architectes FABG will be designing the plans and specifications for the project. It will also be responsible for site supervision.

from  bustler