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 1R4, Canada
Phone: (514) 939-7026
Official Website: Centre Canadien d'Architecture
Centre Canadien d'Architecture Reviews
Rated out of 5
I recently visited the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal, and it was an incredible experience! The museum is quite spacious, and it took us about an hour to tour the entire place. Every corner is beautifully designed and incredibly aesthetic, making the visit visually pleasing as well as educational.
I discovered so much new information that I didn’t know before, which added to the charm of the experience. This is a must-visit spot for anyone interested in architecture or simply looking for an enriching outing. Highly recommend it as an educational and inspiring experience!
Hasna “Captiveats” - 4 months ago
Ticket for adults is 10$ but i got the free one for student. Not too many things to see but compare to the price, it is OK. There is a exhibition that informative and some architecture models are amazing
Tùng Lê - a week ago
Amazing experience! We went there for free museum day and it is definitely worth it. The location is close to downtown, place is well maintained.Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. I love the exhibition and getting a good amount of information from here, very inspiring and I would love to go again
ruka s - 4 months ago
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 - 5 months ago
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montreal is a world-class hub for architectural enthusiasts. Its modern design, thought-provoking exhibitions, and stunning garden blend history with contemporary insights. A must-visit for those passionate about architecture, it offers an inspiring experience in a tranquil and beautifully curated environment.
Tanisha Fonseca - 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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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
