The bold extension of the former fire station, built in 1912, now stands as one of the most striking architectural interventions in the historic fabric of Quebec, Canada. The new part of the building does not attempt to pretend it is old — on the contrary, its contemporary design language highlights the value of the preserved structure, whilst meeting the needs of its new occupant: Les Gros Becs, a theatre for young audiences.
Between history and a new beginning
The fire station, designed in 1912 by G. E. Tanguay and subsequently extended in 1996 by the Julien et Plante studio for Robert Lepage’s Ex Machina, was already an example of architecture that had evolved alongside its function. When Ex Machina left the building in 2021 and the space was taken over by Les Gros Becs, the need arose for another transformation – this time involving both modernisation and a significant extension.
The new theatre, housing a 350-seat auditorium and a multi-purpose space, was built within a district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The design therefore had to engage with its context: the historic buildings, the former fire station, the black granite ‘black box’ from the 1990s, and the institution’s new mission aimed at a young audience.
A journey through time
At the corner of Dalhousie and Barricade streets, a small piazzetta featuring a work of art has been created, serving as an urban hub — it offers views of Parc des Canotiers, the Museum of Civilisation and the St Lawrence River. The new, understated structures provide a backdrop to the historic fire station, and in particular its tower, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the local skyline.
The most significant urban intervention, however, is the ‘cut’ running from Dalhousie to Bell Street. This gap, running through the preserved buildings, becomes a foyer connecting two entrances: the main one, intended for the public, and the one serving school groups. One of the wooden doors is juxtaposed with a blue glass door, signalling the new function of the space. Upon crossing the threshold, the colour of the floor continues this theme, as if the river were still present within the building’s structure.
Interiors leading upwards
The focal point of the foyer is an open staircase leading to the theatre hall, the reading room and a multi-purpose space. As one ascends the stairs, the fire station tower is gradually revealed through the glazing of the lantern crowning the staircase.
The reading room on the second floor makes use of the original building’s tall windows. On the third floor, dormer windows in the mansard roof provide additional light to the foyer of the multi-purpose hall. A small triangular terrace next to the administrative offices offers a view of the river, creating an intimate workspace.
A play of reflections
The interiors have been designed to create a welcoming, somewhat theatrical journey for young visitors, whilst developing the material language of the historic fire station. The grey stone of the ground floor is mirrored in the stainless steel cladding, which reflects both the wood of the theatre hall and the movement in the stairwell. The orange brick of the second floor resonates with the metallic copper, whilst the wood of the attic echoes the golden tones and the wooden cladding of the multifunctional hall’s foyer.
The theatre hall itself reinterprets the façade’s motif, employing four shades of wood that form a rhythmic yet non-literal composition.
Energy efficiency
The design is based on the principles of ‘circularity’. The new theatre not only integrates and renovates the 1912 fire station and the 1996 Ex Machina building, but also introduces a new section, utilising the existing reinforced concrete and steel structure. Furthermore, the black granite from Robert Lepage’s former theatre has been recycled and reused.
The new, fully glazed façade stands out for its durability and high energy efficiency thanks to fixing systems with thermal breaks. It is a contemporary layer that does not compete with history but complements it — just like the entire extension, which deliberately juxtaposes the old with the new to create an open, functional space ready for decades of theatrical stories to come.
design: SBTA inc. Delort et Brochu architectes
photographs: James Brittain
source: V2COM
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