A tapered red roof and aluminum-clad fly tower give the amphitheatre an iconic presence in Trois-Rivières.
LOCATION Trois-Rivières, Québec
ARCHITECTS Paul Laurendeau Architect (design and project architect)

in joint venture with Beauchesne Architecture Design
In the early 2000s, the City of Trois-Rivières began work on a major revitilization project for a site on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Formerly industrial land, the parcel was a prime location adjacent to the harbourfront park, city centre, St. Lawrence River and St. Quentin Island. The municipality envisaged a majestic, harmonious and vibrant amphitheatre, and chose to hold an open architectural competition with the aim of obtaining a world-class building.
In 2011, Paul Laurendeau Architect won the competition in a joint venture with Trois-Rivières-based Beauchesne Architecture Design. The Amphithéâtre Cogeco, which opened with a Cirque du Soleil performance on July 15, 2015, garnered media acclaim for its spectacular architecture. The facility includes 3,500 fixed seats.
The qualities highlighted by the competition jury are undeniable. The project boasts an elegant and imposing structure, and provides ample views of the St. Maurice and St. Lawrence rivers. It is a model of sound planning, which includes enhancement of the site and public river areas. Its interiors benefit from natural lighting and the clarity and simplicity of the spatial organization. Conceptual integrity was maintained throughout ...