Maison Symphonique de Montreal New Hall (formerly L’Adresse Symphonique)

by  Tateo Nakajima     |     partner     |     November 15, 2010

The Maison Symphonique de Montreal (formerly L’Adresse Symphonique) has been a particularly fruitful experience for us working as closely as we have, both with our client, the Ministry of Culture, Communication and Woman’s Affairs of the Government of Quebec, as well as their selected private partner, Groupe Innovation Ovation. Artec’s work on the project started literally years before the private partner, and therefore before the rest of the design team, were selected, and included a key part of the definition of the special form of Public Private Partnership that was undertaken as well as such fundamental questions as project location, siting, and the development of the building programme and the Basic Design for the concert hall.

After a competitive selection process in which we had the opportunity to work with all participants on an equal basis, we have enjoyed a particularly positive and collaborative working relationship with the private partner - crucial for the successful completion of the project. The crux of this special PPP contract lies in the fact that the Minister has retained responsibility for the acoustics and theatre functionality aspects. As the Minister’s consultants in this area, we continue to have full responsibility for the quality of the acoustics design and theatre planning aspects of the project, and we’ve been very pleased with the dynamics that have developed with all parties.

Those who have been following our work will recognize the hall’s shaping, as well as the multi-segment full ceiling canopy system, and the N1 background noise level goal, which have been especially tailored for the needs of the key stakeholders - the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the artistic leadership of Kent Nagano, and the wide range of other types of music events that will be presented by the Place des Arts. We believe that this new concert hall will be an exciting and integral complement to the Place des Arts complex, and will fit well into the extensive work the city has been doing in shaping the Quartier des Spectacles.