Quebec City Circus School
École de cirque de Québec
Category
Culture , Restoration and rehabilitation , Education, sports and leisure
Client
École de cirque de Québec
Location
Quebec (Québec) / Canada
Date
2011
Budget
2,2 M$ (phase I) et 4,4 M$ (phase II)
Area
3 790 m²
Credits
ABCP architecture
Awards and mentions
Mérite d’architecture de la Ville de Québec, Prix Spécial du jury, Prix du public et Prix Recyclage de bâtiment
Description
The initial challenge of this project (2002) was to create circus art teaching, training, production, and performance spaces within the Saint-Esprit Church, which dates back to 1930. The huge technical areas, including those under the roof, provided ample space for the structural and electromechanical components. The interior work, limited to certain areas and carried out in harmony with the exceptional existing interior architecture, has a powerful impact, expressing the high-energy, fantastical, magical spirit of the circus.
A public square was then designed and the first phase—a huge staircase—was completed.
During the final renovation phase, three mezzanines were added to expand the interior, the building’s shell was restored, and the public square was finished.