Artec was founded in 1970 by acoustician Russell Johnson; the company's previous projects include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the Esplanade in Singapore, and the Concert and Congress Center in Lucerne, Switzerland. In 2003, Artec oversaw the renovation of Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall and was widely credited with improving its acoustics.
According to the Gazette, MSO music director designate Kent Nagano recommended that Quebec hire Artec or one of two other firms.
The original plan for the new hall on the Place des Arts called for an 8,000-square-meter building. Artec has proposed expanding it to 11,000-14,000 square meters to improve the acoustics.