Maîtres d’Œuvre Architectes Unveil Espace Péribonka

Maîtres d’Œuvre Architectes (MDO), has introduced Espace Péribonka, located in the village of Péribonka, on the banks of Quebec’s Lac Saint-Jean.

The Village of Péribonka, founded in 1888, is home to roughly 500 residents, but although small, contains historic and cultural significance as a colonial settlement.

The development of the Péribonka tourist site consists of a a $17 million, multi-governmental investment in a multifunctional complex, a new fire station, and a renovation of the Louis-Hémon Museum.

MDO was awarded the mandate as part of a public tender process for their vision that contained a fresh new approach to previous proposals.

Prior to settling on a final design, the firm participated in various meetings with the project’s stakeholders to gain a thorough understanding of the nature of the project, as well as the diverse needs and expectations of those it would serve.

After receiving carte blanche approval, MDO focused on infusing a “WOW” effect into their design of a project which included the preservation and rejuvenation of existing buildings, such as a church that was designated as the new home of the museum.

A key focus of Espace Péribonka was to develop an appealing tourist destination within the core of the municipality which was achieved through the design of multifunctional spaces that addressed  stakeholder needs, with connections between the buildings and spaces of the site.

MDO also assisted the client and worked with the Quebec Ministry of Culture to acquire permission to relocate an existing cultural heritage structure to the new site.

Maison Samuel-Bédard, a historic home built in 1903 approximately six kilometres away from the Espace Péribonka, is symbolic of early colonial settlement in the region. The parties agreed upon a temporary declassification of the heritage site in order to relocate it to a new protective inner courtyard at Espace Péribonka.

“One of the biggest challenges in addressing government concerns was to ensure that the heritage site would remain visible in a setting of contemporary attractions,” said Alexandre Simard, designer at MDO. “By creating a fully glazed corridor connecting the two bookend buildings of the site, we provided visibility through to the inner courtyard where Maison Samuel-Bédard now stands.”

The corridor links the church and museum with the newly constructed Town Hall, with the housing civic functions and services including a library, administrative offices, and more.

The client also commissioned studies to assess the condition of existing buildings at the beginning of the project, and it was determined that the existing Town Hall had become dysfunctional due to structural decline. As a result, MDO created a new Town Hall to host the municipal library and other community organizations and functions.

A major challenge to MDO’s design concept was that it had multiple environmental considerations, such as natural elements and noise pollution inherent to the site’s location along a major regional access road. To address this challenge, they developed a glass curtain wall as an inviting exposé of the library.

To address the presence of direct sunlight, the firm collaborated with Sollertia to develop custom sunscreens which would protect the interior and preserve its panoramic views of the Péribonka River, a major tributary of Lac Saint-Jean.

“Although Espace Péribonka is in the heart of a village, with beautiful panoramic views along the river, environmental factors played a very significant role in ensuring the site’s tranquility,” said Simard. “Omnipresent winds informed many aspects of the building designs, and we created a low-lying barrier wall to absorb traffic noise emanating from the busy regional road in front.”

The new library and multifunctional room are made up of laminated spruce wood beams and columns. Exposed glulam beams and columns were also strategically exposed as an aesthetic complement.

MDO also incorporated black Péribonka granite at its base, which pays homage to the regionalist architecture of the Saint-Édouard de Péribonka church, built in 1948.

“The concept we developed was powerful, but the key to ensuring its successful execution was the unconditional support we received from the community,” said Carl Hovington, architect and project manager at MDO. “Each project begins with its own particularities and architectural identity, and we leveraged our experience and expertise to create something truly unique.”

Construction of the project began in 2020, and the main components of the Espace Péribonka tourist site were completed in 2023. The municipality now hopes to attract 30,000 visitors annually to Espace Péribonka.

“We feel a particularly great sense of pride in completing this project,” said Hovington. “While carrying out the project, we developed a special attachment to the community and its inhabitants, who we hope will enjoy Espace Péribonka for many years to come.”