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Entre lianes et paillettes
By : Castor et Pollux, SDC du Village, PQDS, Infravert, LNDMRK
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Special Awards / Landscape + Lighting : Silver Certification
Categories : Special Awards / Landscape + Art Integration : Silver Certification
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Pedestrian Street / Shared Street : Gold Certification
In a Montreal context where the summertime pedestrianization of commercial streets is now part of the city’s customs, the Société de Développement Commercial du Village tasked Castor et Pollux with designing the layout of Sainte-Catherine Street and a public square, starting in early 2023.
The current social context is tense, with several challenges, notably due to the high number of vacant premises and the strong presence of a marginalized population, which undermines the sense of security in the area.
Following an artistic direction proposed by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the challenge is to enhance the street’s attractiveness and sense of conviviality and safety through an eclectic, glittering, and vegetated itinerary. The challenge is significant: to restore the Village’s festive, vibrant, unique spirit and increase its level of attractiveness and pride through temporary installation.
A lively, extravagant, and sparkling journey
A mile-long scenographic trail wends its way through vines and glitters, in the heart of a tropical vegetation. The street’s perspective is framed by vines clinging to the poles covered in multicolored glitter, gradually invaded during the summer by climbing and abundant vegetation. Twelve stations named “les folies” invite passersby to sit among herds of furniture animals with surprising patterns painted by community artists, and vegetated areas where about twenty sparkling disco balls grow, creating a surreal landscape. White bands on the ground evoke the zebra stripes of the unique animal that is the Village and punctuate the walk where everyone is free to display their stripes in this jungle of possibilities.
Inducing a new collective living space
A “Great folie” in the heart of the neighborhood, the Place du Village offers a new vegetated, fresh, and playful space where passersby can relax, play, and interact. The integration of a custom mini-golf course contributes to the site’s animation during the day. The presence of plants and suspended elements generates shade and refreshes the space. Swings shaped like leopard spots, furniture tattooed with animal patterns, and integrated seating with inviting designs encourage interaction. Adorned with multiple colorful reflections, the square prefigures the new heart of the Village.
Once night falls, the experience of the street and Place du Village is transformed by pink lighting projected onto the installations that punctuate the festive route and reveal another facet to the Village.
Social and environmental impacts:
- Restoring an identity to a commercial street
- Restoring a sense of security and pride
- Bringing vegetation into a highly urbanized area
- Integrating islands of freshness
- Creating a friendly and inclusive space
- Supporting Montreal’s cultural vitality
Collaboration
Landscape Architecture : Castor et Pollux
