As symbols of our democracy, public institutions are meant to be open and welcoming. After all, these infrastructures belong to us collectively—they are, in a way, the “people’s house.” In this sense, they must remain accessible spaces, ready to properly and warmly welcome their true owners: the public.

At the same time, democracy being what it is, certain decisions made by our leaders inevitably generate dissatisfaction, opposition, and divisions that can sometimes escalate into confrontation and take many forms of expression.

As architects, we must remain keenly aware of the importance of security considerations when working on buildings that house our democratic institutions, whether at the federal, provincial, or local level. At present, STGM is leading several projects at the National Assembly of Québec. Instinctively, one might be tempted to place security considerations in the background in favor of architectural quality and design. But this is a seductive trap that must be avoided.

The various elements that make up a building’s security system—cameras, barriers, detectors, and many others—must be considered as fundamental components of the architectural design. Despite their omnipresence, they must remain discreet. Integrating them thoughtfully, without compromising architectural quality, represents a complex yet stimulating challenge. Like many similar buildings, the National Assembly may suffer from a kind of dual personality—but only one should be perceptible: a welcoming and benevolent one, rich in history and tradition, open and representative of the population it serves.