THE URBAN GARDEN
To achieve this objective, we first imagined a vast triangular green plan, which rises from the ground to strategically detach itself from the urban context. The new topography, made up of different sloping planes, allows the creation of a unique urban garden where vegetation is omnipresent in the visual environment. The forest cover is dense, varied and representative of Montreal's flora and trees. Perceived from the outside, the entire area of the site is surrounded by a continuous white border that articulates the garden as a huge receptacle overflowing with vegetation. The architectural gesture, on an oversized scale, seeks to anchor itself to the identity of the sector and is notably in continuity with the signature luminaires of the Quartier des spectacles.
In order to facilitate the technical description of the urban garden, we have broken it down into three main parts: the slopes, the footbridge and the point.
The embankments comprise two sloping surfaces, facing each other, in the center of which a fragmented passageway takes shape. Connecting the northwest corner of the site to the Place des Arts Esplanade, the walkway is designed to limit direct views of the city and invites visitors to pass through quietly. Bordered by a variety of spaces for relaxation and meeting, the circulation section is also connected to a gentle, universally accessible slope leading to the footbridge. The landscape of the slopes blends nature and minerality. More than twenty massive limestone blocks emerge through this patch of forest, following the profile of the topography of the site. Covered with wood in some places and left in their natural state in others, they compose a family of seats adapted to the needs of different users. In the evening, the light is soft and subdued. A combination of sober lighting fixtures, such as bollards, spotlights on barrels and discreet luminaires pointing to the sky, accentuates the color and presence of the plants. From a structural point of view, the slopes are made up of green spaces in the open ground. Where the topography rises above the surrounding ground level, the earth is contained within a perimeter delimited by retaining walls. Their foundations, consisting of large footings, allow for a more even distribution of loads across the site. In the area of the slopes that overlap the subway station, the use of lightweight expanded polystyrene backfill blocks is planned to reduce the mass of the structure and respect the maximum bearing capacity of the tunnel roof slab.
The footbridge is a segment of the urban garden that provides interesting views of the surrounding area and spans the permanent logistics space required for the program. Its deck, made of a concrete slab on steel decking, hosts numerous planting boxes whose shrubs help to block the views below towards the various equipment to be stored on the site. The circulation area, strategically positioned between two vegetation strips, is covered by large wooden boards, which gives the path a warm and inviting character. Punctuated by linear seating and a contemplative platform projecting towards the Esplanade, the walkway provides a surprising experience of the site that will be appreciated by Montrealers and tourists alike.
The point is the portion of the urban garden that cantilevers out from the northeast corner of the site. A wide staircase runs through it. The latter invites passers-by of the sector to climb the footbridge to enjoy a moment of pause and tranquility in a lush environment. The experience of climbing the staircase is a rich and special moment for visitors who will have the impression of literally emerging from a ground covered with vegetation. The effect of disconnection from the city will be instantaneous. From an urban point of view, the presence of this new structure in the landscape has the advantage of creating a vegetal screen that softens the relationship between the festive program of the Quartier des Spectacles and the residential block located just to the north.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Evolution of the Proposal in terms of approach, concept and proposed layout
At the first stage, the jury appreciated the great architectural and landscaping gesture. The sculptural aspect, well proportioned and the massive presence of vegetation within the proposal had been underlined. However, in the second stage, the concept was lessened. The materiality of the concrete became more important, to the detriment of the vegetation, which was no longer as generous.
The jurors also questioned the formal choices. They mention that it is a shame that the folding, which generated a soft topography, has disappeared. While the proposal of the first stage offered a sophisticated and interesting triangular form in tiers, this one has become a narrow walkway that is difficult to access and appropriate.
The technical elements and constraints related to the storage space do not seem to have been resolved and sufficiently integrated into the overall design
Choice and appropriateness of spatial and formal choices
The presence of vegetation near de Maisonneuve Boulevard is interesting. The landscaping also offers a nice continuity with the Quartier des spectacles. However, the jurors would have appreciated a stronger and clearer gesture regarding the general signature. The performance is more focused on technical choices rather than formal choices that result in a loss of experience. Greater sensitivity and flexibility in the layouts would have been appreciated. Finally, the jurors questioned the presence and location of the belvedere.
Choice and relevance of furniture, materials, plants, lighting
The transformation of the topography into a footbridge generates a problem of circulation. The performance has a certain technical and institutional aspect, which the jurors appreciate, while recalling that the primary objective of the competition was to create an island of freshness. The presence of a large concrete structure does not meet the objectives of bringing nature back into the city. The vegetated and topographical slope has disappeared in favor of a concrete structure. This last element does not fit in well with the City of Montreal's Climate Plan and is a laborious avant-garde or innovative element.
Reflection on the maintenance of the site and on the sustainability of the installations
The jurors noted that the proposal contains a large mass of concrete. This megastructure seems difficult to justify and its visual impact overrides the cool island objective. The service proposes an interesting "dressing" of the footbridge structure, but the presence of vegetation on the vertical planes is not sufficiently convincing. Indeed, the presence of climbers requires a lot of maintenance and the images of the perspectives that illustrate an abundance of vegetation seem unrealistic. Finally, the jurors mention the risk of vandalism and graffiti on the vertical walls and planes. These large walls also seem problematic for the safety of users and good visibility on the whole public space.
Technical feasibility of the project, including costs of construction and implementation of the landscaping
The construction of a landscaped area on a slab is more difficult and less resilient. The built object is imposing and the structure seems to be used primarily for storage in the Quartier des spectacles. The jury emphasizes that the performance respects the constraints of the program to the letter, however this aspect alone does not justify such a concrete structure. The fact that it does not allow for a continuous path (one end ends in a staircase) is problematic. The jurors emphasize that the service offers an interesting diversity of soils and vegetation even though the vegetation is not on clean soil.
Respect for the timetable and the constraints of the site
Being located in the Quartier des spectacles, the site is subject to significant pressures and high traffic. Although several types of vegetation are proposed in various locations, they are not well protected from the many users.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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