Canadian Center for Architecture (CCA) founder Phyllis Lambert can’t believe Hydro-Québec is planning to build a massive electrical substation right next to the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal.
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“It will really be a big disaster because it is a big volume, blind walls [sans fenêtre]. It will change the neighborhood,” denounces Ms. Lambert during a telephone interview with Le Journal.
Agreement between BAnQ and Hydro
The garden next to the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal, where Hydro-Québec plans to build a 315 kV substation. Photo Sylvain Larocque
Last week, Le Journal revealed that Hydro-Québec is considering rebuilding the Berri substation, currently located between Ontario and Sherbrooke streets on land next to the Grande Bibliothèque. The owner of the property, the Bibliothèque et Archives nationaux Québec (BAnQ), has already agreed to sell it to Hydro.
Recall that in 2000 Phyllis Lambert led the international architectural competition for the Grande Bibliothèque.
“It’s very sad and even if Hydro-Québec tries to do something fantastically creative, it will be impossible to do something great,” she laments.
The architect regrets that BAnQ decided behind closed doors to sell the land to Hydro, which could have been used for a possible expansion of the Grande Bibliothèque. The transaction is intended to make it possible to partially finance the future Maison de la chanson et de la musique, rue St-Denis.
“Why are they selling the land? She asks. I do not understand anything.”
Metro station?
Ms. Lambert urges Hydro-Québec to seriously consider burying the future station.
“Did we really do a good study to see if we could put it in the basement? They say it’s difficult. “It’s always very difficult to put things in the basement, but there are places where it’s absolutely necessary,” she says.
The one nicknamed “Joan of Architecture” hopes that many Montrealers will take a stand on the project.
“With such elements we can destroy a city because the city is the life of the people,” she claims.