Established in 1926, the City of Rouyn-Noranda is located “between fault and forest” in the heart of Canada’s boreal forest, while the Cadillac-Larder Fault is a major geologic feature that cuts across Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and into Northern Ontario.  

Given the unique geography, the new air terminal increases the city’s visibility as the region’s capital and highlights the importance of the mining and forestry industries to the city. 

Awards 

A joint venture between EVOQ and ARTCAD Architects, the new Rouyn-Noranda Air Terminal has won two awards: 

  • A citation award, given by the Canadian Wood Council as part of the Wood Design & Building Awards, recognising the work of architectural professionals across the globe. 
  • A municipal involvement recognition award offered to the City of Rouyn-Noranda, given by Cecobois as part of their Awards of Excellence. 

Airport layout 

The single-volume, two-storey terminal building is transparent and offers views of the tarmac from all public spaces. Two double-height halls bathed in natural light house passenger services, with waiting areas for arrivals and departures. 

The second storey includes a restaurant with tables and lounge areas, with unobstructed views on the exterior air side and down onto the main public hall. A generous forecourt on the city side welcomes and shelters passengers at the drop-off area. 

Choice of material 

Rouyn-Noranda’s geography and local economy made wood a natural choice of material for the city’s new air terminal building, as it is both harvested and transformed within the region.  

Exposed structure 

The air terminal is supported by a hybrid wood and steel structure, which is left visible inside – both the columns and beams, as well as the cross-laminated timber (CLT) slab on the ceiling. The CLT’s bi-directional bearing capacities were deployed to great effect for the structure’s cantilevered portions. 

Since wood is not very conductive, the beams and slab continue uninterrupted from the interior to the exterior, directing views towards the tarmac, supporting interior-exterior fluidity and strengthening the clarity of the composition. 

Solar protection 

The copper-coloured metal roof folds over to function as a solar protection screen along the facades of the city and air sides of the building. During the day, the perforated screen filters sunlight, preventing overheating and animating the interior spaces. At night, the perforated screen takes on the properties of a giant lantern. 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to www.v2com_newswire.com for the information in this editorial. 

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