Terri Meyer Boake BES BArch MArch LEED AP
Professor :: School of Architecture :: University of Waterloo

Tohu: Chapiteau des Arts

Montreal, Quebec

 

Project Information:

The SSEF Educators took a tour of the new permanent circus bigtop, Tohu, at the Educators Joint Meeting in March 2004. This structure will be the only permanent structure of its type in Canada and is located in the Cite des Arts Area of Montreal, near the Ecole National de Cirque as well as the head office of Cirque de Soleil. The project is hailed for its sustainable qualities.
more info: link

> Architects and landscape architects: Consortium: Schème consultants, Jacques Plante Architect and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte
> Stage design: Trizart Alliance Inc.
> Acoustics: Octave Acoustics
> Construction management: Construction Vergo Inc.
> Mechanical/electrical engineers: Martin Roy & Associates Consulting Group Inc.
> Structural engineers: Martoni, Cyr & Associates Inc.
> Civil engineers: Vinci Consultants Inc.

Project Images:

View of the main entrance.
Interior lobby space, bigtop visible through the openings in the precast concrete circular drum wall.

The steel beams on the ceiling are reclaimed/reused members.
View of steel bracing system.

Interior overall of bigtop space.
View towards steel grid ceiling that spans over the bigtop. Performers will have access to this zone for stunt access.
View from the upper balcony to the floor.
Closer view of the underside of the steel roof truss structure.
Up in the ceiling space. A network of catwalks provides access over the entire ceiling plane .
Detail of roof truss connections.
Detail of roof truss connections from the upper level.
Access stair to the upper roof level.
View of partially finished exterior wall. A trombe heating wall is to be located along this, the south side of the drum.
Exterior overall view of the complex.

 

These images are for educational use only and may not be reproduced commercially without written permission. tboake@sympatico.ca

Updated February 11, 2021