Débat entre le modèle, le type et le projet scolaire : la typo-morphologie et la syntaxe spatiale des prototypes d'écoles primaires et leur influence sur le parc scolaire au Québec, 1943-1964

The author notes that when elementary school became compulsory in Quebec in 1943, it led from 1948 onwards to a wave of massive construction of new schools in villages, towns and new suburbs born out of post-war prosperity. Of the approximately 2,400 public primary schools that exist today, about 55 percent were built between 1943 and 1964, adding to the 20 percent built before 1943. Les Archives nationales du Québec keeps model plans for the construction of schools which had been commissioned by the Département de l'Instruction publique between 1948 and 1964. By a combined analysis of typo-morphology and spatial syntax, the author defines and explains the architectural features behind the plan, construction, architectural style and building program of these schools. He also examines their relative position in Quebec, their evolution over nearly three quarters of a century as well as their relationship with politics and professional discourse. Behind the project of public primary education for all, the architecture of primary schools reveals denominational variations between Quebec's Protestant and Catholic systems, distinctions between Anglophones and Francophones schools, regional disparities between city, suburb, village and countryside, as well as inequalities of resources and means in the construction of buildings. The use of the standard plan also generated conflicts with the architects who saw it as unfair competition and an incomplete solution. The author argues that all this sheds light on the ever-present debate between the model, the type and the architectural project.

Master's Thesis

Université Laval

Québec

2021

viii-126p

fr