Compiled by Pari Syal
Photography: Stéphane
Groleau; courtesy the architect
The refurbished Montmagny courthouse in Chaudière-Appalaches near Quebec City, adopts a concept of duality, with a sharp and striking architectural vocabulary - totally defined by light.
Designed by the consortium CCM2, Group A and Roy-Jacques architects in collaboration with LumiGroup, the sprawling 4360 sq. m. courthouse that is otherwise governed by rules and regulations, now surprises visitors with an architectural intensity that is wholly the outcome of a creative use of light.
Sharp straight lines,
sometimes physical and sometimes imaginary, define the boundaries between
public and private spaces, and between old and contemporary. Beginning at the entrance, the ceiling is lit
by a fluorescent line guiding guests towards a grand staircase - an identifying
symbol of great public institutions in classical architecture. The exterior of
this magnificent staircase is made of dyed black ash wood, which contrasts with
the pure white quartz steps and the varnished interior walls. The effect is suitably
magnified by LED lighting, concealed within the upper part of the railing.
Ascending to the
upper floor, which houses the waiting, meeting and hearing rooms, the line of
light reappears in a suspended vertical zigzag, ending under the vast cathedral
ceiling, like an unusual movement frozen in time, providing some lightness in
this structured world.
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Lighting in the
courtrooms, an area hierarchical in nature, plays a very important role in
creating psychological barriers between the public space and that of the space
reserved for the judiciary. This concept of creating boundaries using light is
also applied at the court counter.
In addition to responding to very specific lighting needs, in terms of security, functionality and safety, the architects and LumiGroup’s lighting team have managed to capture the creative potential of using light – both, artificial and optimizing use of natural light filtering into the courthouse - bringing a distinct contemporary energy to the Montmagny courthouse.
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A classic of the genre! White, black + wood, stone and glass. Great!
ReplyDeleteLovely mixture of the old and new.
ReplyDeleteYou know your projects stand out of the herd. There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant!
ReplyDelete