Centre d’Histoire de Montreal

Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F.

Centre d’Histoire de MontrealL. Matthew C.F.

| 2 | McGill University School of Architecture | Surface of Information


In 1983, the Central Fire Station (Serne centrale Pompiers) was transformed into the Centre d’Histoire de Montreal. It is situated at the heart of Old Montreal City. The building exhibits an ensemble of permanent and temporary displays throughout the three floors with a focus on Canada’s multi-cultural history.

The current temporary exhibit “Lost Neighbourhoods” narrates the story of Montrealers whom were displaced in North America as an aftermath of war, human right issues and genocide.

Centre d’ Histoire de Montreal is one of the only remaining examples in the city that exhibits Queen Anne style. The ornamentation features romantic details of angel figures above the windows, and symmetrically arranged lanterns.




H Y D R A U L I C



H Y D R A U L I C

WATER IS A DEFINING FEATURE OF MONTREAL.

The first settlers to North America arrived by the Saint-Lawrence River. From that point on, a port was established on Montreal’s southern shore, and from the water a city emerged.

Water is reflective not only of the Old Port, but of the heritage of the Centre d’Histoire de Montreal in particular. Before it became a historical centre, the Central Fire Station (Serne Centrale Pompiers) served as a necessity to the community because of the frequent fires that plagued the wooden structures. Water was an essential item to the function of the building. The power of water delivered from the station left an imprint on each aflame house, salvaging the structure from destruction.

To approach the question of using hydraulic as a force in the study of the façade, a parameter including a set of arches representing the fluidity of water was created. Using the loft function, a wavelike double curved structure is produced. The most dominant feature in the façade was the central roof lantern.

Therefore, in response to the bricks on the façade, the lantern is reduced and repeated in a modular of thirteen by four units. The lanterns are distorted according to the curve of the surface. The quality of the highly geometrical façade is maintained, yet the transmutation establishes a historical connection with the building’s original purpose.

Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew

| 6 | McGill University School of Architecture | Surface of Informationa. Slider set at Height 17

b. Hydraulic force base curve

c. Transverse force along the z axis

d. Duplicate of b

e. Surface created with b & d

f. slider for 13 x 4 modular

g. Grid division guide

h. Grid division on the surface

i. Twisted boxes set along the surface

j. Slider for the depth of the twisted boxes set at -50

k. Combination of the grided surface with the lantern as the basic unit

Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F. l. Multiple mesh surfaces joined as one surface

m. Trangulation of the joined mesh surface

n. Union of the multi-surface lantern

o. Lantern is used as the brick unit

p. Capping of the boundary box

q. Extrusion of the boundary box

r. Boundary curve

s. Height of the extrusion of the boundary box along the z axis

t.Slider set at .7 as the height of the boundary box



r. Boundary curve



o. Lantern is used as the brick unit














Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F. Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F.

| 26 | McGill University School of Architecture | Surface of Information| 26 | McGill University School of Architecture | Surface of Information







Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F. Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew


Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew C.F. Centre d’Histoire de Montreal Alana O’Halloran | Lee Matthew

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Centre d’Histoire de Montreal