Wheels in Harmony
Experience 1 -- Reaching the Access Point Existing Environment
Existing Environment
The CEPSUM is an iconic space located at the heart of the Université de Montréal campus, where knowledge, health, and community intersect daily. Its strategic location allows it to play a central role in the educational experience of both students and the wider public. As a large-scale sports centre, it serves as both an architectural landmark and a collective space reflecting the diversity of uses. Its transformation through the lens of invisible accessibility represents an opportunity to reinforce its inclusive role while promoting a more equitable vision of public space. In doing so, the CEPSUM can become a model of subtle and harmonious integration of accessibility, in service of Montréal's community health, well-being, and social cohesion.
Challenge
"How can we reimagine the sports centre as a model of invisible accessibility that offers truly inclusive experiences for all?"
Proposal
"At both the start and the end, life carries us on wheels."
Inspired by this universal truth, the proposal aims to transform the CEPSUM entrance into a fluid, inclusive, and sensorially balanced space.
Each path is designed for all, without distinction
Inclusive well-being through vegetal and sensory design
Two symmetrical ramps follow the natural slope of the sidewalk, positioned on either side of the main staircase. This arrangement eliminates any hierarchy of use among individuals with reduced mobility, children in strollers, elderly people, or everyday users. The symmetrical gesture counterbalances the heavy, asymmetrical façade, while establishing a sense of harmony. Seasonal planting strips flank the ramps and steps, ensuring a vibrant and continuous green presence year-round.
Inside, a thermal airlock is added in accordance with Quebec standards. The removal of a side staircase allows for the integration of two additional elevators, making the upper floors more accessible. The cleared wall becomes a support for a green wall featuring signage, an interactive map, and intuitive visual markers. In front of the elevators, a large waiting area is transformed into a space for rest and social interaction, furnished with accessible tables and seating -- ideal for reading, playing games, or waiting for the bus in winter. Additionally, this space is designed as a donation point for collecting used sports equipment and giving it a second life.
Finally, a sports equipment shop is set up in a module of the outdoor parking lot. Visible and strategically positioned toward the main hall, it also serves as a landmark, guiding visitors to the existing reception area on the 3rd floor.
(From competitor's text)
The proposal offers an interesting approach to the sequence of movements, from the exterior to the interior, with an effort toward continuity by preserving the existing staircase. However, the elevators remain relegated to the background, which limits equity. The proposal appears professional, realistic, and feasible, with a high-quality presentation and a well-integrated Nordic landscape design. The addition of a green wall inside is noteworthy. This proposal demonstrates some innovation, though it is not among the most innovative.
(From jury report)
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