Description of the Mandate

Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier, located in Verdun, is both a heritage building and an archaeological site. The latter, which dates back 6,000 years, is the most significant prehistoric site on the Island of Montreal. Open to the public from mid-May to mid-October, the site offers a diverse program of educational and cultural activities, including exhibitions, workshops, lectures, storytelling evenings, concerts, and more.

In 2023, the Verdun borough administration called on La bande à Paul to redesign the house’s permanent exhibition. The mandate also included developing the site’s exterior signage.

Special Features and Challenges

The challenge for this project was to renew the permanent exhibition with with a contemporary design language while preserving the building’s heritage character. To achieve this, the interior was cleared to maintain visual and sensory contact with the building's authentic volume and architectural features. The content was structured around a narrative thread recounting the site's evolution and the use of the house by three human groups: Indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Verdun residents. More immersive and experiential, the new exhibition raises visitors’ awareness of the historical value of key travel routes along waterways—or, in this case, the Lachine Rapids—and the artifacts associated with them.