Excerpt: The Grand Théâtre de Québec underwent a creative and sustainable renovation by Lemay and Atelier 21, which included the integration of a glass curtain wall into the concrete structure. The glass casing acts as an extension of the original building, using the same structural logic and composition. It creates a secondary, tempered envelope housing a low-flow heat recovery and thermal mass system, which is energy-efficient and economical.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The new envelope is a delicate response to a complex problem. In developing corrective measures for the building’s many weaknesses, the transdisciplinary team produced a sustainable, innovative solution: adding a transparent, glass curtain wall to the concrete structure.
The glass casing was carefully designed in continuity with the structure developed by Victor Prus, the original architect, and the mural work of Jordi Bonet, enshrined by Prus’ protective outer shell. Discrete and almost immaterial at times, it reflects its surroundings and becomes the main interface with the city, adding a theatrical act in the discovery of this significant Quebecois work.
As designed, the thin wall of protective glass shields the Grand Théâtre from the elements by creating a secondary, tempered envelope housing a low-flow heat recovery and thermal mass system. The system is both energy-efficient and economical. Beyond its primary function, the new layer acts as an extension of the original building it protects, using the same finely tuned structural logic and composition.
Any alteration to the architecture had to be severely limited, says Eric Pelletier, architect and design principal at Lemay. The building’s fragility paired with the inability to directly access the concrete anchors posed a major challenge – with work on the building proceeding during normal daytime and evening theatre operations.
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