The project’s main objective is to create divisible exhibition areas if needed for dedicated events for the wide public. The program includes the creation of exhibition halls, meeting rooms, offices, central hall, cloakroom, ticket office, restaurant and other technical spaces.

The total project area is approximately 103,000 square feet. The main exhibition hall of 60,000 square feet, designed according to the highest standards in terms of functionality and specialized equipments, can be divided into three exhibition spaces when various events take place simultaneously. On each sides of the exhibition spaces are located the related services. On one side, the technical spaces with the loading areas, storage areas and recycling areas, and on the other side, public spaces including the lobby, cloakroom, ticket office, services, restaurant and meeting rooms on the second floor.

The architectural concept can be resumed essentially by the desire to express the internal activity of the building. Upon his arrival on the site, the visitor sees a large glass hall that show partially the internal activity of the exhibition center. The main hall contains the essential services and allows visitors to walk through a space flooded by natural light. The pixels pattern on the glass surface created by a semi-transparent film adds a light veil on the indoor activities taking places in the hall and adds a subtle texture to the glass wall. From the outside, the angular shape rises and highlights the main entrance. Sculpted and defined as a break of the glass block, the main entrance is the key element of the project and marks the transition between the exterior and the interior environment. The use of bright yellow color shows the internal activity of the exhibition center. This color sequence animates the facades like if the internal boiling energy was breaking up partly and shows the festive character of the place.

FIRM DESCRIPTION
CCM² Architects is one of the most important architectural firms in Quebec City, Canada. Firmly established since 1963, the firm has always been able to find creative professionals and experienced technologists while ensuring its renewal. The firm now revolves around two associates: Pierre Morel and Mathieu Morel, with more than 50 years of experience, well supported by a permanent team of experienced designers and technicians.

CCM² Architects is renowned for the quality of its realizations and its ability to produce distinctive and original architectural concepts in accordance with budgets and schedules. It is also known for its professional quality services focused on customer satisfaction and users and on creating a distinctive architecture. The dynamism of the team, combined with his creativity and his constant search for innovative ideas, enabled the firm to earn over the last fifteen years more than twenty awards for the quality of its interventions including several at national level.

Client: The City of Sherbrooke
Realization: 2010-2011