Canadian Centre for Architecture facts for kids
| Centre canadien d'architecture | |
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| Established | 1979 |
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| Location | 1920, rue Baile Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Architecture museum |
| Visitors | 67,666 (2011) |
| Public transit access |   at Guy-Concordia station,  Georges-Vanier station |
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), also known as the Centre Canadien d'Architecture in French, is a special museum and research center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It focuses on architecture, which is the art and science of designing buildings.
The CCA is located at 1920, rue Baile, in a neighborhood called Shaughnessy Village. It's a place where you can learn about how buildings are designed and how they shape our world.
Phyllis Lambert is the person who founded the CCA. She is still involved as the founding director emerita. The current director is Giovanna Borasi.
The CCA has a huge library and many old documents about architecture. They also host different exhibits throughout the year. There's a study center where anyone can come to learn more. The CCA also offers fun educational programs and cultural activities for visitors.
The main building of the CCA was designed by Peter Rose. It even has a cool garden with sculptures on the south side of René Lévesque Boulevard. This sculpture garden was designed by architect Melvin Charney.
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History of the CCA
The Canadian Centre for Architecture was started in 1979 by a Montreal architect named Phyllis Lambert. She wanted to help people understand how important architecture is in our lives. She also wanted to encourage new ideas in building design and support research about architecture.
The CCA building was designed and built between 1985 and 1989. Peter Rose, a Montreal architect, led this project. The museum's design cleverly includes an old mansion called Shaughnessy House. Phyllis Lambert bought this mansion in 1974 to save it from being torn down.
The CCA has won important awards for its design. These include the Honor Award for Architecture from the American Institute of Architects and the Governor General's Medals in Architecture. They received these awards in 1992.
The CCA Building
The CCA building, which opened in 1989, was designed by Peter Rose, working with Phyllis Lambert and Erol Argun. The modern building wraps around the historic Shaughnessy House. This old mansion was built in 1874 and is one of the few 19th-century mansions in Montreal that the public can visit.
The CCA building is very large, covering about 12,000 square meters. It has special rooms for exhibits, a theater called the Paul Desmarais Theatre, and a bookstore. It also houses the library and a study center. There are even labs for restoring and taking care of old architectural items.
The Shaughnessy House part of the building is over 1,900 square meters. Many of its rooms have been carefully restored to look just as they did in 1874.
The CCA building mixes old and new styles. It uses traditional materials like grey Montreal limestone along with modern materials like aluminum. This blend helps it fit into both the past and the present. The landscapes around the building, including the sculpture garden, were designed to match their surroundings.
The "Van Horne / Shaughnessy House" was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1973. It was also named a Historical Monument of Quebec in 1974.
Collections and Exhibitions
The CCA has amazing collections of books and objects related to buildings and design. They have special collections, like architectural games for children. They also have items about world's fairs and their architecture. The collections include works by famous architects such as Ernest Cormier and Peter Eisenman.
The center regularly holds exhibitions. These shows often explore different themes or highlight parts of their own collections. They also host traveling exhibits from other museums. The CCA offers special tours for groups and educational programs designed for children.
You can also find a bookstore and a concert hall at the CCA. The sculpture garden, located across René Lévesque Boulevard, is a unique outdoor space. It features sculptures and structures that explore ideas about architecture. One part even looks like the bottom section of the Shaughnessy mansion.
The study room at the CCA is open to the public if you make an appointment. It's a great place for anyone who wants to do deeper research.
Sculpture Garden
The sculpture garden, designed by Melvin Charney, is a unique park located across René Lévesque Boulevard from the main CCA building. This park, called Esplanade Ernest Cormier, is in a busy area.
The park has many sculptures that show different aspects of architecture. One sculpture is a reproduction of the base of the Shaughnessy House facade, showing its original size. The garden also mixes plants with sections of open walls. You'll find architectural pieces and furniture items placed on pedestals, making it a very interesting place to explore.
Affiliations
The Canadian Centre for Architecture is connected with several important organizations. These include the CMA, the CHIN, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
In Spanish: Centro Canadiense de Arquitectura para niños
- Architecture of Montreal
- Architecture of Canada
- Modern architecture
