P-M-H-M (LES PONTS MERCIER-HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE)
The Olympic stadium is a Montreal icon, despite the many setbacks encountered during its construction and use. The original roof was designed to span a large opening, even to move. This span- and connection-seeking across an open space is literally built into the form of each strut, cable, connector node, and piece of Kevlar. It seems logical, therefore, to embrace this original design intent embedded in each of its elements, objects of structural clarity, almost icons in themselves.
The proposal therefore is to reassemble the elements of this roof into a series of spectacular bridge structures which connect the much-neglected Mercier- Hochelaga-Maisonneuve across rue Notre Dame to the water's edge. This effort anticipates the cleanup and re-opening of St. Lawrence river's edge to the public, especially in this borough, where no such connection currently exists. These bridges would occur at every street that perpendicularly connects to rue Notre Dame. Some of these structures will create physical crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, some will hold lighting and signage, others will host small public programs, and yet others may be towers - connecting to the sky. The bridge designs are dependent on their existing and potential adjacencies, both within the neighborhood and along the riverbank.
Together, the P-M-H-M (Les Ponts Mercier- Hochelaga-Maisonneuve) will form an ensemble - bridge-scape - something which bears resemblance both to the stadium and the nearby industry and port cranes - that can be enjoyed by the local residents and visitors alike. These bridges will simultaneously promote local identity and connectivity on the scale of the city. Each street will have its own bridge landmark - waterfront connection, events, gatherings, etc. Visitors, driving along Rue Notre Dame, experiencing the whole breadth and variety of the bridges, will inevitably want to stop and examine these new local icons, and thus establish a relationship with this part of the city.
(From competitor's text)
