Built completely underground, the new reception pavilion of the National Assembly of Québec helps preserve the Parliament Building’s facade, a potent symbol of the collective memory, while advancing the concept of a living, participatory democracy. A circular ramp organizes the spaces, from the entrance to the building’s core. The wood wall enclosing the ramp continues the historical narrative inscribed on the Parliament Building, with modern milestones depicted by images evoking notions of community and citizenship. In the centre, an agora serves as a gathering spot; an oculus overhead provides illumination as well as a window onto the past and future.