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
Official Website: Centre Canadien d'Architecture
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.
Closed Now
Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.
- 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
Category: Museums Bookstores
Address:
1920 Rue Baile
Montreal, QC H3H 2S6
Canada
Phone: +1 514-939-7000
Reviews
Tony L. Oct-08-2017
Very unassuming museum in the middle of the city. There's not much to it, but if you have an appreciation for art or concept design, this is your schtick. I... Read More
Dan P. Nov-20-2022
I should have read the Yelp reviews before selecting this very unusual display venue. I use term "display venue" because it's not a museum and there is... Read More
Chris T. Nov-13-2022
I love Architecture and thought this was a museum of architecture, it is not. I should have read the reviews and not what the MTL had on their website, If... Read More
Accommodations near Centre Canadien d'Architecture:
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: Yelp Photo Credit: Yelp Photo Credit: Yelp -
Photo Credit: Lea-Kim - cc license via Flickr