Chevalier Morales

Awarded the OAQ Excellence Grand Prize at the Architecture Awards in 2019 and the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture in 2020, the Drummondville Library stands out as an exceptional building that has quickly become a part of residents’ daily lives. Seen as a gathering place where paths, passions, and ideas converge, the library fulfills the fundamental need for community and collective growth.

Part of an architectural competition, the project boldly integrates an outdoor skating rink envisioned as an extension of the library’s original program. Aware of the significance of hockey culture for the people of Drummondville, the project aims to embody an urban meeting point that reflects its community.

Beyond the framework of a traditional library, its design invites users to engage with the space as they please - whether by playing hockey outdoors, borrowing books during a game, or studying in a uniquely beautiful environment. Located near the terminus for various public transport routes, it is a considerable attraction for the surrounding streets and businesses in the downtown area.

The project’s environmental focus is evident in the innovative design of an energy loop connecting the library to the adjacent skating rink. The loop optimizes energy costs for both spaces through an efficient cyclical energy transfer lasting nearly six months.