(CS5.3) Rehabilitation of the modernist wing of the Saint-Hyacinthe Seminar

A venerable institution founded in 1811, the Seminary of Saint-Hyacinthe has stood proudly in the middle of a vast wooded area, just outside the city, since 1849. Built around a central courtyard, the monumental complex was built incrementally as the institution grew, including work following two major fires. The most recent of these fires lead to the reconstruction of the central body in 1963. Built with a concrete structure and clad in limestone, the Girouard wing stands out for its frank modernism tinged with classicism, set in the ensemble of buildings from earlier eras. This case study presents the redevelopment of the Girouard wing following its acquisition by Centre de services scolaires de Saint-Hyacinthe to accommodate the growing number of students at Casavant high school. The wing was formerly used as a residence in 2015 and has been rehabilitated into classrooms and laboratories in the eastern part of the complex. The project aimed to provide a stimulating living environment, while preserving the monumentality of the building. The rehabilitation included curating the interior, bringing the building up to codes and standards and refurbishing the envelope. The mandate included consultation with municipal and government heritage authorities. The City of Saint-Hyacinthe played a key role in the project, through the acquisition of the large garden at the foot of the main facade, to turn it into a public recreation area. Thus, in a bid to value a heritage site located close to the old village core, the collaboration of 3 key players - school board, municipality and religious institution - fostered the rejuvenation of a significant building.