Built in 1918, the Wilder Building had been abandoned for many years. Société québécoise des infrastructures wanted to carry out a complete redevelopment of the 12,400 m², 10-storey building, as well as two expansions on either side of the existing building, for a total area of 21,700 m².
Located in the Quartier des spectacles, this new refurbished building houses several cultural organisations including Les Grands ballets canadiens, the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, the Agora de la Danse, the offices of the Ministère de la Culture, the Régie du cinéma, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, etc.
The presence of these large cultural organisations required NCK to be closely involved in the implementation of sophisticated multimedia systems and to work closely with specialists in the field to design a flexible structure with as few barriers as possible. Considerable structural reinforcement proved to be necessary, and one of the circulation areas leading to the auditorium is protruding, completely glazed. The glass curtain walls are illuminated at night by projections from the Place des festivals.
For this exceptional restoration project, NCK, as part of a consortium, provided the complete structural engineering consulting services.
