Architectural view of the new archives centre in Gatineau, highlighting its massive and minimalist design.

Library and Archives Canada Storage and Preservation BuildingGatineau

Client

L'Atelier architectes

Year

2024

Service

Library and Archives Canada’s new Gatineau Storage and Preservation Building is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the preservation of Canada’s historical documents. It is the largest automated archives centre in the world and the first net-zero carbon archives building in North America. Connected to the existing Preservation Centre, it complements its architecture while integrating advanced technological solutions.

Mandate

I captured the architecture of Library and Archives Canada's storage and preservation centre in Gatineau, highlighting its design, materials, environmental integration, and technical innovations. My approach aims to deliver impactful visual communication by documenting the project's excellence.

View of the building at dusk, highlighting the lighting ambiance and its dialogue with the environment.
Play of light on the facade of the center, revealing the nuances of the concrete under different conditions.
Precast concrete facade of the Library and Archives Canada archives centre, inspired by Quebec geology.
Detail of precast concrete panels evoking the geological strata of Quebec.
Exterior perspective of the building, illustrating its imposing volume and its integration into the surrounding landscape.
Interior view of the vast archival vaults, designed to preserve Canada's historical documents.
Minimalist and functional office design, promoting a fluid working environment.
Archive consultation areas, where every detail is designed to preserve the collections.
Archives consultation room, offering a clean and bright setting for research.
Geometric lines and raw textures define the aesthetic of the Library and Archives Canada project.
Geometric and structurally clean lines of circulation spaces.
Precast concrete building envelope fastening system.
Technical space dedicated to monitoring the storage conditions of sensitive documents.
Close-up view of the humidity and temperature control system in the vaults.
Architectural perspective of technical spaces.
Contrast between the textured concrete and the clear sky, highlighting the architectural identity of the building.
Glass passage between the different sections of the building, promoting the connection of spaces.
Interior view of the pedestrian bridge connecting the new building to the existing center.
The glass walkway connecting the new building to the existing preservation center.