Le Diamant: Transforming Québec City's Historic YMCA into a Multidisciplinary Theatre
At the edge of Place d'Youville in Québec City's cultural district, Le Diamant has been finalized as a multidisciplinary hub for theatrical creation and performance. This project revitalizes the historic YMCA, a Second Empire structure built in 1879, transforming it into a contemporary performance space. Designed for Ex Machina, it features a 625-seat multifunctional theater, a creation studio, and new public areas, all while preserving the original building. The architectural team comprises in situ atelier d'architecture, Coarchitecture, and Jacques Plante, led by architects Alain Tousignant, Annie Lebel, Marie-Chantal Croft, and Jacques Plante. Covering 8,500 m², the project was completed in 2019, with engineering support from Tetra Tech, Dupras Ledoux, Ambioner, WSP, and Trizart. Photographs by Stéphane Groleau.
Key facts
- Le Diamant transforms the former YMCA (1879) into a multidisciplinary theatre centre.
- Located at Place d'Youville in Québec City's cultural district.
- Developed for Ex Machina.
- Includes a 625-seat multifunctional theatre, creation studio, and public spaces.
- Architects: in situ atelier d'architecture, Coarchitecture, Jacques Plante.
- Lead architects: Alain Tousignant, Annie Lebel, Marie-Chantal Croft, Jacques Plante.
- Area: 8,500 m².
- Completed in 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Alain Tousignant
- Annie Lebel
- Marie-Chantal Croft
- Jacques Plante
Institutions
- Ex Machina
- in situ atelier d'architecture
- Coarchitecture
- Jacques Plante Architecte
- Tetra Tech
- Dupras Ledoux
- Ambioner
- WSP
- Trizart
Locations
- Place d'Youville
- Québec City
- Canada