The incinerator's two huge chimneys, visible from several vantage points in Montreal, are no longer just a relic of the past, but also an invitation to reinvention, pointing to infinite possibilities and inviting people to push back their limits. This project proposes to breathe new life into these once-abandoned industrial buildings, transforming them into spaces dedicated to physical activities and artistic performances, inspired by circus disciplines. In addition, innovative installations capture the kinetic energy generated by users' movements, a sustainable and renewable energy that is then converted into electricity to power the public lighting around the incinerators as well as the building's internal operations. This environmentally friendly approach raises awareness of the importance of clean energy sources and shows people in concrete terms how their own movement can generate energy.
Each incinerator plays a specific role: the Dickson incinerator, located in an industrial district, is perfectly suited to large-scale performances and events, while the Des Carrières incinerator, closer to residential areas, offers an ideal setting for everyday and family activities. By reviving the historic function of these incinerators, once producers of heat for the city, this project echoes the idea of a circular economy: back then, waste was used to produce heat, and today, residents' movements generate the energy needed to illuminate the site and run the performance spaces.
The imposing architecture of the incinerators, with their broad facades and chimneys, is exploited creatively: they require to be climbed, colored and activated, with installations for aerial and trapeze performances. The incinerator then becomes not only a performance space for residents, but also "performs" itself by generating the energy it consumes. Thanks to this subtle transformation of function, it regains a central place in the city and in the collective memory of its inhabitants. This project enables Montrealers to gather together, challenge themselves physically and reconnect through unique activities in all seasons. The revamped incinerator breathes new life into the community and strengthens the sense of belonging to the city, by becoming a place for encounters, creation and performance, while offering an innovative and ecological energy solution.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
3 scanned / 3 viewable
- Presentation Panel
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- Cross-sectional perspective
