Musée Armand-Frappier: a major milestone reached

Construction of major new building completed

Laval, August 19, 2021 - A new milestone has been reached in the development of the new Musée Armand-Frappier. Begun in July 2020, construction work on a light-filled 1,800 m2 building to house the Musée Armand-Frappier is now complete. This was the City's first project under a design-build contract, and despite some schedule adjustments due to the pandemic, construction was completed on schedule. The Musée Armand-Frappier is due to open in its new facilities in autumn 2022.

"We are proud of the construction of this major cultural infrastructure, adjacent to Cosmodome. It will enable the Musée Armand-Frappier to better fulfill its mission of offering young people original opportunities to learn about science. For Laval, it's also an exceptional science museum that fits perfectly with the health sciences niche, which is very present in our economy. I'd now like to say to the Museum team: it's up to you! It will be a real pleasure to discover your opening program in a year's time.

- Stéphane Boyer, Deputy Mayor, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee and Municipal Councillor, Duvernay-Pont-Viau

"My colleagues and I are very excited about the final preparations that will enable us to welcome our visitors to these magnificent new premises! We've been working on this project for several years now, but the next few months will see the pace pick up, with the production and installation of two exhibitions, the fitting-out of laboratories, the development of new educational activities, and so on! We'd like to extend our warmest thanks to the Ville de Laval and Canadian Heritage for providing our institution with spacious, bright premises; premises designed to contribute to the delight of our visitors!"

- Guylaine Archambault, General Manager, Musée Armand-Frappier 

Next steps

To ensure maximum functionality of the premises, work will be carried out over the coming months to fit out the areas shared by the Museum and Cosmodome . The shared spaces include the reception hall, ticket office, store, checkroom and administrative offices.

The Musée team will also be moving in to prepare the premises and its exhibits for the move. Until then, the Musée Armand-Frappier will continue to operate from its current site at 531, boulevard des Prairies.

Highlights

• A major $13.9 million project, including $2.7 million in financial support from Canadian Heritage for the Museum's relocation.
• The concept responds directly to the objective of pooling the two museum institutions. The Museum is located along a circulation axis that runs from the main entrance of Cosmodome through the Café Ariane, opening up a new perspective to the south. This axis is largely glazed, providing a natural light breakthrough in the center of the building.
• The foundation is concrete, and the structure is divided into two categories: a steel structure (first floor, upper floor and high roof) and a hybrid steel/wood structure (low roof).
• The exterior cladding is designed in a spirit of continuity with the materials and colors of Cosmodome , while at the same time encouraging the penetration of natural light. The external cladding is in pre-painted steel. The circulation axis wall and the internal façades on the interior public terrace are curtain walls.
• An outdoor space between the original building (Cosmodome) and the new building (Musée Armand-Frappier) provides a common area. The terrace is bordered on three sides, providing a place sheltered from the noise of the freeway. It is visible and accessible from the public spaces shared by the two buildings.
• LEED Gold certification is targeted for the new building.
• The construction of this infrastructure to develop new museological spaces for the Musée Armand-Frappier is a flagship action in the Laval region's 2019-2023 Cultural Development Plan.

Further information
Visit the Musée Armand-Frappier website

Bottom of the thumbnail :

Photo 1: from left to right
Stéphane Boyer, Deputy Mayor, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee and Municipal Councillor of Duvernay-Pont-Viau
Rosemonde Mandeville, President of the Musée Armand-Frappier Board of Directors Guylaine Archambault, Executive Director of the Musée Armand-Frappier
Photo credit: Vincent Girard

Photo 2: Central staircase leading to showrooms and laboratories
Photo credit: Vincent Girard

Sources :

Anne-Marie Braconnier
Communications and Marketing Department
Public Affairs Manager
450 680-2343
[email protected]

Robert-Charles Longpré
Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
Special Advisor
438 400-9709
[email protected]