Paul Laurendeau wins Governor General’s Medal in Architecture
Paul Laurendeau (BSc[Arch] ’89, BArch ’91) is a 2016 recipient of the Governor’s General Award in Architecture, presented on 20 September 2016 in a ceremony at Rideau Hall. Laurendeau was the lead design architect on the Amphithéâtre Cogeco in Trois-Rivières, in consortium with François R. Beauchesne.
From the : “The winner of an open anonymous architectural competition, the Amphithéâtre de Trois-Rivières is a new major cultural facility located at the fork of the St. Maurice and St. Lawrence rivers. The architectural concept is symbolized by a thin, symmetrical 80-by-90-metre horizontal roof. The covered outdoor seating area features a perforated red metal soffit ceiling that suggests its theatrical function, showcased at night by the lighting from eight metal columns. Like a portico on a promontory, the amphitheatre has become a new riverfront landmark for the city of Trois-Rivières.”
Jury comments: “The amphitheater has become an icon in the transformation of the riverfront precinct in Trois-Rivières, providing a new identity for the city. Using the simplest of geometry and the lightest of touch, the architects have created a memorable place for performances. The jury admires the precision of its distinct floating roof. Night lighting and the use of bright colour make the building a beacon for spectacles and performances at the water’s edge.”