Of Time and Place: Bibliotheque de Charlesbourg, Quebec City
At first glance, the striking radial layout of Quebec City’s Trait-Carré district would appear to be inspired by the formalist principles of Renaissance town planning. The tapering lots converge on a central square, their virtual point of intersection being the towers of the Saint Charles-Borromée church. The symbolism is apparent, but the Jesuits who laid out one of North America’s first planned communities in the 1660s also had practical considerations in mind. At the time, survival was a cooperative endeavour and the needs of the community, including its defense, were better served by physical proximity to one another. Hence the central square of the Trait-Carré was the civic and religious precinct, its buildings interspersed with pastures for common grazing and encircled by houses built close together at the narrow ends of the tapering lots. Many historic buildings from the 17th to the early 20th century survive, including the Seigneurial Mill (1740), the church of Saint Charles-Borromee (1833) the nearby ancien collège des Frères Maristes (1904) and about 40 domestic buildings of various sizes and types. Together, the urban design and architecture of the Trait Carré make it a fascinating example of cultural geography that attracts visitors and scholars from around the world. The ancien collège des Frères Maristes was converted into the Bibliotheque de Charlesbourg in 1985 when the library had outgrown its original premises. Twenty years on, with a changing role and increasing membership, the library again needed to expand and modernize. The challenge of designing a new 3,250m2 addition was awarded to the emerging firm of Croft Pelletier architectes. The library expansion was seen as an integral part of an overall revitalization plan for the Trait-Carré.
In the words of Eric Pelletier, “The site plan re-establishes the visual links between the library and the roads surrounding the property, reinforcing the public character of the open spaces and of the library itself. The L-shaped organization of the site also reinforces the physical, spiritual and symbolic centrality of the church and its monumental character, leaving the library, park and public square to facilitate the creation of this precinct as a truly democratic space.” In addition it was recognized that the historic urban form and subdivision around the Trait-Carré were an integral part of the site’s heritage, and should inform the design response. Sited to create a paved courtyard between it and the old library, the new building is entered on the second level at the internal corner of the L-shaped plan. The larger arm of the L contains the main book stacks, and the smaller arm administrative components. Additional book stacks are located on a mezzanine overlooking the main space, with a study and reference areas located at the basement level below. Sloping up from south to north, a green roof covers the main library while the smaller wing rises above the grass-covered roof plane.
The landscape elements of the new library reflect the radial land pattern, while the building itself follows the orthogonal layout typical of buildings in the Institutional Square. These two patterns are interconnected and superimposed on the green roof of the library – the element in which building and landscape come together.
The green roof and the adjacent landscaping recall the agricultural past of Charlesbourg Village and the common pasture lands that once occupied the centre of the square. The landscape envelopes the library and covers it with a field of wild grasses, thus contributing to the greening of a large portion of the southeast quadrant.
The natural topography of the site enabled the addition to maintain a low profile, reducing its impact on the surroundings and keeping the church as the urban focus. Hence, the library and its associated public spaces become a transition between the more monumental institutional centre and the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
The expansive green roof was designed to be an accessible public park for reading, relaxing and picnicking, encouraging appropriation by the public and giving the library a multi-functional character. this theme of public appropriation was echoed in the masterplan for the Trait Carréwith the redesign of the square to the south of the Church. The plan is modelled on the Piazza de Campo in rome and other European squares, which are made available for public use and community events during the day, and vehicle parking at night.
Since its inauguration in 2006, the new building has become an important destination for intellectual stimulation and cultural exchange. Its success stems from its integrated response to program in both objective and subjective aspects. Acting as a fulcrum between cultural heritage and the contemporary community, the library has invigorated the centre of the Trait Carré with its rare combination of integrity and creativity.
Client: Ville de Quebec Architect: Croft Pelletier architectes Photos: Chantal Gagnon, Ville de Québec, Benoît Lafrance 1) The green roof recalls the agricultural heritage of the Trait Carré, and contributes welcome public green space to the southeast quadrant. 2) The site plan incorporates both the rectilinear geometry of the central square and the radial geometry of the surrounding residential area. Drawing: Courtesy SABMag 3) The spires of Saint Charles-Borromee Church are seen reflected in the skylights of the new library. 4) The reading room is bright with natural light, and enriched by a material palette that includes rusticated stone contrasted with glazed curtain wall.















