Cardin + Ramirez Win Montréal Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium Competition

Montréal’s Nature Museums recently announced that Cardin + Ramirez & Associés architectes was chosen on May 21 by the selection jury in the architectural contest for the new Montréal Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium (previously on Bustler). The visual and model of the winning project will be officially presented in the next few weeks, once the jury’s recommendation has been confirmed by the city of Montréal Executive Committee and Municipal Council.

The concept submitted by Cardin + Ramirez et Associés architectes was chosen ahead of four others. “The winning project combines innovation, daring and energy efficiency in addition to immersing visitors in nature. Moreover, the building’s architecture fits seamlessly into the site and the project’s solid environmental aspects will ensure that the future Planetarium attains LEED platinum certification. All these criteria correspond to the Nature Museums’ values, as proclaimed in a manifesto penned by their employees several months ago,” says jury chair and Executive Director of Montréal’s Nature Museums, Charles-Mathieu Brunelle.

The winning firm, established in 1991, joined forces with Ædifica_Architecture + Design, SNC Lavalin, Dupras Ledoux engineers and Fauteux et Associés Architectes Paysagistes for the second and final phase of this international architectural competition. The multidisciplinary team, some of whose members are Quebec experts in LEED certification, is highly interested in buildings promoting renewable energy sources and sustainable development.

Six criteria were used in studying the architectural concepts: the innovative environmental approach and the quality of the integration of the chosen LEED credits; the originality of the museum concept in keeping with the architectural ensemble; the quality of the experience of the indoor spaces in keeping with the functional and technical program requirements; the fit between the solution and the program requirements; compliance with the budget and the quality of the team.

Official opening slated for 2012
Once the architectural and engineering professional services contract has been awarded, the winning firm will prepare the plans and specifications for the project by spring 2010. Construction is expected to begin next summer and the official opening is scheduled for 2012.

Note that 62 firms submitted proposals in the first phase of this architectural competition of international scope. In mid-January, the jury made up of 10 members from a variety of backgrounds and across North America studied the anonymous submissions and selected those from Atelier Big City and L’OEUF; Cardin + Ramirez & Associés architectes; Chevalier Morales architectes; Croft Pelletier architectes and Saucier + Perrotte architectes. In the second phase of the competition, the same jury chose the winner from among the detailed projects submitted by the finalists.

The new Planetarium is a project supported by all three levels of government and a private partner, Rio Tinto Alcan. Overall project costs are estimated at $33 million.

The Museums in one place, at last
The new Planetarium will be built next to the other Nature Museums in the city’s east end. Its new location will allow Canada’s largest natural sciences complex to reaffirm its leadership and highlight its know-how and creativity even more on the national and international scenes.

Charles-Mathieu Brunelle said he is very happy to have completed this important step, which is part of the redeployment plan for the Nature Museums.

“For close to one year now, as part of the mandate entrusted to me, the team around me has been working to come up with an overall plan that will spotlight the exceptional attractions of Montréal’s four Nature Museums. Today’s announcement is part of this plan,” noted Mr. Brunelle.