Library Learning Commons awarded architecture prize – New facility inaugurated in 2018, designed by architectural firm Lemay

A little over a year after its inauguration, Bishop’s University’s new Library and Learning Commons is again making news, this time being awarded the Prix Architecture 2019 de bibliothèques et de centres d’archives du Québec.

“Architecture is one of the critical ways that we express the enduring values of our university. Our new Library and Learning Commons reflects our love of learning and communicates our commitment to transparency, collaboration and academic excellence. I am very grateful to everyone – librarians, staff, students, faculty, administrators and professionals who contributed to this transformative project for Bishop’s. I would particularly like to thank our architect, Eric Pelletier and his colleagues at Lemay for translating our aspirations into a beautiful and functional reality,” said Bishop’s University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Michael Goldbloom, C.M.

Bishop’s Librarian Catherine Lavallée-Welch accepted the prize, along with Lemay architect Eric Pelletier, at the Congrès des professionnels et professionnelles de l’information taking place in Montreal.

The prize aims to highlight architectural achievements in libraries and archive centres. It is awarded once every two years by a jury that considers a number of criteria, such as innovative solutions and practices in space usage, aesthetic quality of the architectural concept, environmental protection and integration, as well as user service improvements, among others.

The evaluation process involved incognito visits by jury members. The jury noted the decision to award the prize to Bishop’s University’s Library Learning Commons was motivated in part by the harmonious integration of the building with the campus as well as the surrounding forest, the emphasis on natural light, as well as pleasant and comfortable, student-centred spaces.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Olivier Bouffard
Director of communications
819-822-9600 ext. 2840
olivier.bouffard@ubishops.ca