Projects / Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury
Heritage rehabilitation and contemporary renewal
An emblematic heritage rehabilitation project, the Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury embodies an architectural approach where history and contemporary use come together.
Reimagining an iconic heritage landmark
Before the 2008 fire, the Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury stood among the most recognizable architectural icons in Canada. This major event marked a turning point, becoming the catalyst for a profound reflection on the building’s future purpose. Launched in 2015, the rehabilitation project is rooted in a rigorous approach to heritage conservation, respect for architectural integrity, and fidelity to the original sketches drawn in 1885 by architect Eugène-Étienne Taché.
Original components that survived the fire were preserved and integrated into the project. Rather than pursuing an identical reconstruction, which would have compromised the building’s overall authenticity and conflicted with current codes and regulations, the project proposes a respectful and deliberate reinterpretation of the site’s history.
The palimpsest as an architectural approach
Marked by exceptional historical layering, the Armoury presented strong potential for heritage enhancement. Its rehabilitation and the transformation of its former drill hall into a multifunctional venue give the building a second life, designed to serve future generations.
The architectural approach is based on the concept of the palimpsest, a notion that views architecture as an object shaped over time through successive modifications, retaining visible traces of its transformations. This approach allows historic remnants to be revealed with sensitivity, without freezing the building in a museum-like state. Stone cornices, sealed loopholes, historic plaster finishes, and masonry walls marked by time and the 2008 fire are intentionally left exposed. Together, these elements express the layered history of the Armoury, its 1913–1914 expansion, and the impact of the fire, while fostering a living dialogue between past and contemporary interventions.
Collective memory and emblematic reconstruction
The decision to reconstruct the copper roof of the drill hall and its ridge crest, both completely destroyed in the fire, was one of the most significant gestures of the project. Strongly supported by the community during public hearings, this choice reflects the enduring presence of the Armoury’s image in the collective memory. The ornamental copper roof and monumental crest, to which the public remains deeply attached, have thus been reinstated in Québec City’s urban landscape.
Contemporary architecture in dialogue with the site
Among the project’s major interventions is the addition of a new west wing and the creation of a new connection to the Plains of Abraham through a bridge crossing the 1913–1914 annex. The new west wing, defined by its copper sun-shading system, masonry cladding, and recessed roof, offers a sober, subordinate interpretation of the Armoury’s characteristic elements. While clearly contemporary in expression, the intervention respects the original building through its choice of materials and volumetric principles.
The new connection to the park brings to life an intention that was dear to Eugène-Étienne Taché himself, reinforcing the building’s relationship to its site and to the city.
A multifunctional hall at the heart of the project
The former drill hall now houses a multifunctional venue capable of accommodating more than 1,200 guests. The architectural intent was to recall the building’s military origins and align with Taché’s original vision, while acknowledging the wood ceiling that defined much of the hall’s later history and introducing a contemporary structural system adapted to modern requirements.
The structure unfolds in two stages: exposed heavy timber trusses spanning the space without columns, and a concealed upper structure within the gable. Interior masonry walls are left exposed, and new finishes are deliberately restrained, contributing to the enhancement of the original elements while meeting technical and functional requirements.
A welcoming and luminous foyer
Adjacent to the multifunctional hall, the foyer is designed with great simplicity to bring the south wall, the copper roof, and the surrounding landscape to the forefront. Its structure, composed of CLT decking supported by glued-laminated timber columns with concealed connections, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere unique to the city.
Finished with noble materials, including cut limestone masonry and large curtain wall glazing, the foyer serves as a waiting area, circulation space, and extension of the main hall for cocktail events and press conferences. It stands as a functional yet emblematic space, deeply rooted in the identity of the site.