Facteur D is Montreal's latest celebration of architecture, urban planning and design. The recent inaugural event saw 500 people participate. From the 47 finalists seven projects were awarded first prize in their respective categories. Some of the winners have been featured in this blog before.
In the Architecture category, the winner was the Bibliothèque Raymond-Lévesque. It was designed by Manon Asselin of Atelier TAG, and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte associates. They formed a consortium for the task.
The designers used a constrained palate of timber and exposed concrete as a neutral backdrop for a series of spaces animated by the exciting use of accent colour.
Throughout the building, elegant detailing denotes something of real quality, but what I like most is the apparently effortless transition from serious institution to more … light-hearted space.
It is a building that can be appreciated by people of all ages. The virtuosity demonstrated by the architects was obviously appreciated by the judges, and I am sure the institution will come to be appreciated by the The City of Longueuil.
At a time when libraries are being threatened both by the ebook, and in some countries cutbacks in public spending, this building is a clear statement by one forward looking city that libraries matter, both now and in the future.
