background

St. Joseph's Oratory


St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is continuing with major renovations. The first phase (completed in 2005) consists of a new driveway situated immediately to the west of the building. The next phases consist of the construction of a new reception building and pilgrim services, and also the near complete reconstruction of the Sacred Axis that runs from Queen Mary to the crypt courtyard.

Preserving the natural heritage of the premises as well as the heritage of the building itself, the main objectives of the new additions are to modernize the visitors' services centre, improve security, simplify the various circulation routes and improve the appearance of the exterior amenities. All additions or modifications to the site are subject to the discretion of the Basilica and of Mount Royal, and are evaluated on a hierarchical basis in order to preserve the site's value as well as its symbolic importance.

The signage along the pilgrims' circuit is addressed by either improving existing displays (museum, lantern, and dome), or by installing new features (multi-purpose room, interactive multimedia presentation), representing a major part of the project.

The new building's first four floors (reception, multipurpose room and technical rooms) are partially buried, beginning with the lowest level at the base of the mountain and resurfacing at the crypt level, opening onto a long exterior plateau joining the east and west of the building's facilities. At this level, we find outdoor gathering spaces, which slope to meet the two top levels of the new building and are sheltered by the reception building, boutiques and catering facilities. Satellite installations, including the belfry and new vestibules, complete the program.

Nearly all the rooftops are green spaces, and the platforms are layered in natural stone, zinc, prefab concrete and glass. The interior spaces, huddled around the Grand Hall which is open on every level, are treated in a modest manner, as is the ornamental language integrated into the structure.

Plan Director: Jacques Reeves, architect

Project date: 2005 to 2008
Surface Area: 14 700m2
Budget: $68M
Team Members: Jean Martin, Denis Gaudreault, Carlo Carbone
Role: Architecture, Project Management


project date : 2005 to 2008

surface area : 14 700m2

budget : 68 M$

team : Jean Martin, Denis Gaudreault, Carlo Carbone

St. Joseph's Oratory

 text
1/6