Chevalier Morales

The Maison de la littérature is born from a project to renovate and restore the first neo-Gothic church in Quebec City, the former Wesley Temple. A glass and steel annex outside the heritage building has been designed to accommodate several parts of the program, thereby maximizing the space dedicated to the activities within the facility. Driven by a momentum of liberating thought, the space is designed with openness and simplicity, facilitating the flow of ideas.

The Temple space and its annex present a contemporary face to the Canadian Institute of Quebec while carefully preserving the majesty of this symbolically rich space. With finesse, the project emphasizes the evolving movement of Quebec’s cultural landscape, whose collective identity seeks constant renewal.

Viewed as a fundamentally devoted refuge for literary life, the Maison de la littérature represents a unique cultural concept in North America. It embodies both the library of the citizens of Old Quebec and a cultural showcase that invites the Quebec literary community to recharge. Its facilities, while encouraging contemplation, host resident writers and numerous literary events such as lectures, book launches, and conferences.

Reflecting on the undoing of traditional modes of representation, the Maison de la littérature offers its users a complex architectural experience, supporting a variety of resonant spaces, including the library, areas for literary and audiovisual creation, reading and exhibition spaces, a performance hall, and a literary bistro.