Canadian Centre for Architecture
(Centre Canadien d'Architecture)
Anyone with an interest in architecture and design will want to add the CCA in Montreal to their must see list
The Canadian Centre for Architecture is an international research centre and museum, founded in 1979 by Phyllis Lambert. She was convinced that architecture should be a public concern and aimed to raise public awareness of the role architecture plays in society as well as to promote research and stimulate innovation in this field.
The Centre is home to one of the world's biggest research collections in the field of architecture. There are various publications, conceptual studies, drawings and plans, pictures and models and other artefacts. The works cover everything from the Renaissance to the present day.
The building which houses the Canadian Centre for architecture was designed by Peter Rose in collaboration with consulting architect, Phyllis Rose, and associate architect, Erol Argun. It was integrated with the Shaughnessy House designed by William T. Thomas - a historic mansion that came close to being demolished for road development, before being purchased and restored. The entire complex covers 130,000 square feet, including the 20,000 square foot Shaughnessy House.
The gardens are a work of restoration of an area which was deeply scarred by highway engineering in the 20th century. They were designed by Melvin Charney during the Quebec governments bid to combine art and architecture and laid out in a series of narratives which speak of the history of architecture and the city.
The Centre offers a range of education programs and hosts various architecture related events and Exhibitions throught the year. Full details of these events can be found on their official website linked below. They feature items such as the H-Block building of the Maze Prison in Northern Island and Casablanca Chandigarh, an exhibition suggestive of histiography of two major urban experiments which took place in the Global South. Each exhibit is curated by a different group of architects.
The centre is wheelchair friendly and there is limited parking available. There are also various tours on offer for those who wish to be guided through the different departments and exhibits.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes - Please see the website for the full admission costs schedule. Students and children are permitted free entrance. Free admission on Thursdays after 5:30pm.
Centre Canadien d'Architecture Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 1920 Rue Baile, Montréal, QC H3H 2S6, Canada
Phone: (514) 939-7026
Official Website: Centre Canadien d'Architecture
Centre Canadien d'Architecture Reviews
Rated out of 5
Excellent visit with thought-provoking exhibits and a lovely bookstore! Unfortunately, the museum is not very large and can easily be fully appreciated in less than an hour...
Fatcatter - 3 weeks ago
A hidden gem in downtown Montreal! Small enough to finish the visit in 1-2 hours, big enough for a casual afternoon with friends. It’s free for students! Bring your student ID!
zee - 4 months ago
We stopped by while visiting the city and on a snowy day. It was nice to be inside and we enjoyed exploring their current exhibits on photography, architecture, and the legal History of city planning and buildings. A very enjoyable experience, we explored for about 1 hour even though the museum is rather small.
Sarah M - 9 months ago
Visited multiple times. Their exhibitions are super interesting, and the museum itself is so relaxing. The bookstore is one of the best in town. Great outing for winter afternoons (They don’t close too early!)
Maya Farhat - 4 weeks ago
I had a great and thought provoking visit. The exhibits challenge the traditional notion of architecture in a compelling way. I thought the exhibits were fun, and there were many different mediums keeping things interesting.
The admission was a great price at $10 for one adult. There was a coat and bag check where we could keep our luggage during our visit. I also enjoyed the bookstore, there were sections curated to the ongoing exhibits which was really fun to look through. It also seems that exhibits are cycled frequently. If this hasn't sold you, admission also includes access to the Shaughnessy Mansion which has a stunning intricate interior. This was a great experience!
Oat Milk - 2 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Green | Guy-Concordia | 7 minutes |
| Line 2 - Orange | Station Georges-Vanier | 5 minutes |
How to get to Centre Canadien d'Architecture by Metro
By Metro: Take Metro Line 1 to Guy-Concordia and exit onto Rue Saint-Mathieu. Walk southeast to Baile Street and go right following it to the entrance or take Metro Line 2 to Georges-Vanier; exit and cross the street to the expressway underpass and follow the sidewalk through the underpass to the other side. When you come out of the underpass the CCA is immediately to your right.
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Accommodations near Centre Canadien d'Architecture:
Photo Gallery
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The Historic Shaughnessy House forms part of the CCA cc licensed photo by JasonParis -
Photo Credit: Lea-Kim - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lea-Kim - cc license via Flickr
