From the City to the Object: Terre des Hommes 2017 – Towards a New Identity

2017 marks three important dates for the City of Montreal:
·the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation
·the 375th anniversary of the City of Montreal
·the 50th anniversary of Expo 1967.

Expo 1967- Man and His World International Exhibition – was a magical moment in the history of the city, a true connection to the world and recognition of Montreal’s importance in the international community.

Feats of human ingenuity guided all interventions including the enlargement of the Expo site, Ile Sainte-Hélène in the middle of the St-Lawrence River. The excavated material from the underground metro system, built simultaneously, was used to expand the island. The innovative and creative urban design, architectural, landscape, graphic and urban furniture signature designs were widely celebrated at the time.

Forgotten for almost 30 years, a new intervention* will take place on the island for the 2017 celebrations emulating traces of the past and the rich history of the site.

Detached from the island of Montreal, the Ile Sainte- Hélène was accessible by water, metro, bus and minirails – all systems showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of 1967. One of these gateways, le pont de la Concorde, has been transformed into a highway glorifying the vehicular urbanism of the 1980’s.

This studio titled – Terre des Hommes 2017 – towards a new identity – will address the problematic of creating a gateway to the island and a linear land and bridge promenade over the St-Lawrence River.

The studio will focus on a multidisciplinary approach, from the city to the object, questioning the true definition of a gateway and a linear public space defined with urban design, architectural components, landscape strategies and graphic and urban furniture signatures.

A trip to Montreal will take place in February to visit the site and Daoust Lestage’s International district (QIM) including CDP Capital building and the Theater District (QDS) and its Vitrines Habitées.

Schedule: Renée Daoust will attend the studio every two weeks with Réal Lestage present at mid-term and end reviews. Jane Hutton will be present at the weekly Thursday and Friday studio meetings. Renee Daoust and Real Lestage will be at the GSD the following dates: Jan 23, 24, Feb. 7, March 14, 28, April 11, 25 and final review. The trip to Montreal is Feb. 21-23.

*(client: Société de Parc Jean-Drapeau, project manager: Quartier international de Montreal, Urban design, architecture and landscape: Daoust Lestage – Claude Cormier).