Auditorium of the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Montréal, Québec, Canada
Inauguration : 2005
Area : 438 m2
Cost : US$ 6M (incl. US$ 360,000 worth of equipment)
Type : Multidisciplinary Spaces, Theatres & Concert Halls
Capacity : 290 seats
The Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (known by the French acronym BAnQ) has a mission to disseminate the published documentary, archive, and film heritage of the province. Under the roof of this preservation site for Quebec and world heritage, there are 4 million documents open to the general public. The library’s vocation goes beyond safeguarding our heritage, however; it is also an activity site, with an auditorium, exhibition hall, café/ restaurant, booths for booksellers, and outdoor facilities. Scéno Plus was given a mandate to design the auditorium for this major cultural forum.
Outstanding features
This small space is remarkably intimate – the ideal site for lectures, dance and theatre performances, or chamber music concerts. The specialized modern equipment meets the particular needs of this type of small performance space:
• Complete sound and lighting systems
• Large video projection
• Motorized suspension system
The Auditorium is easily accessible, both for production crews, which can use the street-level loading dock, and for spectators, who are naturally directed to the foyer of the Auditorium thanks to the fluid design of the space.
The stepped seating and impressively high ceilings lend the room a sense of space and openness.
Mandate
Theatrical concept
Design of infrastructures and equipment systems
Site supervision
Follow up during construction: architecture, theatre design and stage equipment
