Contemporary Architectural Projects as Interpretation of Urban and Social Contexts

Abstract

The North American city has great potential for exploring the relationship between existing, relatively new, urban forms and contemporary projects. Often, contemporary projects are part of urban processes that are underway, even in central parts of cities. In this case, the analysis of the urban and typological evolution is possible thanks to the use of cartography, making possible to highlight the strata of formation and transformation of the urban fabric, which remains an open process for contemporary projects. On the other hand, being relatively recent urban forms, the link between these and the cultural and social context that produces them is more evident. This new perspective opens the door to a ‘sensitive morphology’ in which the contemporary project establishes a dialogue between the history of the city, and its architecture, with the aspirations of its inhabitants. It is in this frontier that the project discussed in this chapter was conceived. Located in Quebec City, Canada, this small property complex of three units completes a street corner in the Montcalm district. In the first part, we will briefly discuss the emergence of the neighbourhood and in particular the role of the plot. In the second part, the project will be addressed both as an element of the urban ensemble and as a cultural product related to the intentions of the owners at a particular moment in the history of the city. Finally, a brief discussion will underline the specificities of this contemporary intervention in an ancient North American fabric.