From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne
May 11
4 min read
Nestled in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage district of Old Quebec, a historic building is embarking on an exciting new chapter. La Caserne, originally built in 1912 as a fire station and famously expanded in 1996 for Robert Lepage’s artistic laboratory, Ex Machina, has been transformed once again. Now home to the youth theatre company Les Gros Becs, this iconic space has been reimagined as a vibrant cultural hub designed specifically for young audiences.
The new design required expanding the site to include a 350-seat theatre and a multifunctional hall, all while respecting the deep historical roots of the surrounding city. The result is a masterclass in architectural storytelling—a smart, engaging space where the past and the future meet.
A Dialogue Between Old and New
The vision for the new La Caserne was built on conversation: a dialogue between the historic city and modern design, between the old fire station and the new theatre, and—most importantly—between the building and the youth it now serves.
The transformation begins right at the street level. At the corner of Dalhousie and Barricade streets, a newly created piazzetta adorned with public art serves as a lively gathering space. It opens up the site to the surrounding landmarks, including the Musée de la Civilisation and the St. Lawrence River. The new additions feature clean, sober lines that act as a quiet backdrop, allowing the historic fire station—and its striking tower—to shine as a proud landmark in the city’s skyline.
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: Vladimir Topouzanov
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
A Welcoming Journey
To connect the public entrance on Dalhousie Street with the school group entrance on Bell Street, the architects carved a smart, open pathway straight through the preserved buildings.
To signal the building's fresh, youthful identity, visitors are greeted by a striking blue glass door, paired beautifully with the original wooden doors. Once inside, the floor continues this vibrant blue theme, a subtle and poetic nod to the nearby St. Lawrence River flowing just outside.
As visitors move through the heart of the foyer, an open staircase guides them upward, kicking off a playful and engaging journey:
The Reveal: As you climb the stairs, the historic fire station tower gradually reveals itself through a beautifully glazed lantern ceiling.
The Reading Room: Located on the second floor of the original fire station, this space is flooded with natural light from the building's tall, historic windows.
The Multifunctional Hall: Up on the third floor, dormer windows pierce the west-facing roof, drawing natural light into the foyer, while a small triangular terrace offers administrative staff sweeping views of the river.
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
Colours and Reflections
The interior spaces are designed to capture the imagination of young audiences while paying respect to the original architecture.
The designers achieved this through a clever use of materials and colours:
Ground Floor: Mirrored stainless-steel walls reflect the movement of excited theatre-goers and mimic the grey stone of the original building.
Second Floor: A metallic copper finish beautifully resonates with the historic orange brick of the original walls.
Third Floor: Metallic gold tones and warm wood cladding answer the original wood of the historic roof.
At the very center of the project lies the new theatre hall itself, which wraps its audience in a cozy, inviting atmosphere using four distinct shades of wood.
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
Built for the Future
La Caserne isn’t just beautiful; it is deeply rooted in sustainability. The architects embraced an ecological concept known as circularity—the practice of reusing and recycling existing resources rather than starting from scratch.
Instead of tearing down the past, the new project integrates, renovates, and restores both the 1912 fire station and the 1996 Ex Machina building. The existing concrete and steel structures were preserved and strengthened, and the black granite from the previous building's exterior was carefully recycled. Finally, the new modern glass envelope was built with high-performance energy systems, ensuring that La Caserne is as durable and eco-friendly as it is stunning.
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne. Image courtesy of: James Brittain
By blending rich history with playful, sustainable modern design, the new La Caserne stands ready to inspire the next generation of theatre lovers for decades to come.
Project Details
Project name: La Caserne – scène jeune public
Location: 103 Dalhousie Street, Quebec - 110 Bell Street, Quebec
Project team (design and construction): Dino Barbarese, Vladimir Topouzanov, Sophie Trépanier-Laplante, Christopher Dubé, Marc Pape, Anna Zakharova, Louis-Guillaume Paquet, Flavia Socol, Julien Denault, Geneviève Deguire, Cédric Delort, Jean Brochu, Caroline Vinatier, Ghislain Dubé, Hugo Sénéchal, Caroline Lévesque, Léa Pasquet, Jonathan Estrade, Pierre Lépine
Founded by Mario Saia in 1968, with Dino Barbarese and Vladimir Topouzanov joining as partners in 1987 and 2002, respectively, Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architects is a firm dedicated to the practice of architecture and urban design.
Clear concepts that structure even the most complex projects, the sense of conviviality they foster, the presence of light, and a contemporary architectural vocabulary all characterize the firm’s work. The office has diverse expertise in urban projects, collective housing, and institutional projects (universities, sports centers, theatres, etc.).
Since 2013, Dino Barbarese has worked primarily as a Project Architect, and Vladimir Topouzanov as a Design Lead.
Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architects has completed numerous projects that have been recognized for their integration with the environment, quality of design, respect for the human scale, and operating efficiency. The most important Canadian, Quebec, and local organizations devoted to architecture and patrimony conservation have rewarded the firm with numerous prizes, including the Gold Medal from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, two Governor General’s Medals, and fifteen awards from the Ordre des architectes du Québec. Recognition of the firm also includes a Hue Award (San Francisco) and Wood Design Magazine; two Best of Canada Design Awards, Mitra Milan, and seven awards from Save Montreal and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
The firm’s projects have also been featured in publications in Canada and abroad, including in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Korea, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Great design bridges past and future, creating spaces that evolve with us.
Our built environment is in a constant state of beautiful evolution. At Forma, we believe that architecture and design are deeply personal—they dictate how we live, grow, and connect across every stage of life. As a community of designers, architects, engineers, trades, builders, suppliers, students and creators, we are constantly tasked with bridging what was with what will be. Whether we are exploring innovative new builds, thoughtful restorations, or the visionary people shaping our industry, our mission remains the same: to look beyond the aesthetics. We invite you to explore the human stories woven into the brick, light, and landscapes of the spaces we inhabit. Thank you to everyone who reads, contributes, and shares in this vision.
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