Debacle
It is spring. The first rays of sunlight warm the ice on the shore. The ice breaks, pushes the ground to modulate its forms, leaving behind a topography with apparent fragments and a building that follows its reliefs, becoming itself a component of the landscape. This "constructed landscape" accommodates various uses and offers a panorama of the river, evoking the insular character of the place. Here and there, debris reminds us of the passage of the ice; prominent elements of the site that will become games, furniture, a landing dock and even, eventually, a link with the surrounding parks. The site thus modulated retains its natural appearance, becoming an integral part of the landscape.
Perceived as a natural element of the site, the roof of the building is a pier that begins at the entrance to the site from Bureau Street and culminates at the observation point: a floating place between sky and water - a meeting point for the building, the circulation, the views - offering users a unique link with the river.
The building, modulated like a topography, is easily accessible. Its play of levels allows for numerous activities to be held; the "built landscape" becomes a place of gathering, spectacle, and discovery. At the level of the site, the progressive descent in the form of levels allows the gaze to scan the horizon, ensuring an almost permanent link between the user and the river.
Moreover, a relationship of forces is also established between elements of different natures that seem both complementary and distinct. A dialogue is established between the raw and the constructed (building-landscape, wild banks, landscaping and constructed beach). Finally, the whole of the interventions draws from the existing character of the site in order to inscribe it in a larger whole, more vast, faithful to its insular identity...
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Underlining the importance that this project will bring as a structuring element in the development of the St. Lawrence River banks, the jury brought comments in the form of points of interest and points of questioning.
Points of interest:
A structuring project
The quality of the proposed development, which will be structuring for the neighbourhood and the relationship that the project will maintain with its environment and the dialogue that it will develop with the context.
A respectful insertion
The quality of the project's impact on the environment in which it is inserted, very respectful of the environment, particularly with regard to the actual distances of visual perception and the scale of the proposed interventions.
A great potential of activity
The quality of the relationships that the concept proposes in view of the potential activities on the site and the synergy between the various components.
A breath of fresh air
The potential of the project's interventions that will give a breath of fresh air to this site in the east end of Montreal.
A relaxing atmosphere
The atmosphere of the development concept presented, such as a place of relaxation, and in particular the materialization of the shoreline in contact with the river, which is a great strength of the project.
A course accessible to all
The high quality of the proposed itineraries on the site, particularly in terms of universal accessibility and the ease of travel between the components and the neighbouring district.
A distinctive signature
The distinctive character of the project, particularly in terms of the architectural signature that will create a unique identity for the neighbourhood.
A great potential for community appropriation
The development of a sustainable approach, particularly in terms of the potential for appropriation and improvement of the project by the community thanks to the flexibility of the facilities and their adaptability over time.
The pleasure of a project in development
The potential for development and the pleasure of seeing the project evolve, and the definition of the types of activities that will be carried out as a result of the competition in collaboration with the borough and the users.
Points of questioning (reservations):
- Ensure that the scale of the building is in harmony with the neighbouring buildings as presented in the service and that the building is located above the 20-year flood line.
- Reinforce the dialogue between architecture, design and naturalization of the site through a balance of mineralization and vegetation.
- Support the project in terms of the detail of the mineral treatment, which could be made more discreet.
- Reinforce the renaturalization and development of the riverbanks while maintaining the visual links to the river.
- Maintain universal accessibility in the building and with the concrete blocks in the water feature
- Review the access to the pontoon in the water and provide this small dock with a ladder for swimming.
- The project must maintain the structural finesse and lightness, particularly with regard to the pier and its pillars, while ensuring resistance to ice, as well as the material quality (natural and untreated wood) (Larch or white cedar)
- Review the relevance of installing concrete blocks in the water or evaluate the possibility of using another material.
In closing, the president of the jury, supported by the members, wished to emphasize the excellent participation of citizens and its importance within the pre-selection committee and the jury. As such, the presence of citizens in the decision-making process has allowed to clarify the knowledge of the site, the uses and to promote better contextualized recommendations.
The jury also provided some clarification regarding access to the river for swimming and the supervision of fishing activities.
Swimming
Improve the swimming offer. We are more in a situation of swimming in a lake with a small shoreline and rapid descent of the bottom rather than a large beach that descends quietly. Therefore, we need to provide practical, safe and inviting facilities off the water (supervision, leave your towel, etc.) and on the water. Develop a set of surfaces (dock, pontoon or "block") distributed close to the shore (children/parents) and further out (for swimming). Consider the possibility of joining them with rope and buoys to create a safety enclosure and prevent motorboats from entering.
Fishing
Separate fishing and swimming activities completely for safety reasons. Because of the depth, this site is already popular for light tackle fishing from shore and by boat (they go very close to the edge within 50 feet). Provide shoreline development specific to this activity.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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