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Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal
By : NIPPAYSAGE + Provencher_Roy
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Landscape Architecture - Terrace Roof : Silver Certification
Categories : Special Awards / Environmental Project : Platinum Winner
The Grand Quai du Port de Montréal project surpasses the commission for a world-class ferry terminal by offering a large public space providing access to the St. Lawrence River, while highlighting a remarkable historic ensemble that bears witness to the creation and economic development of Montreal. The fruit of close collaboration between architects, engineers and landscape architects, it revitalizes the heritage landscape and, in an exemplary fashion, reweaves the links between the city and the river.
The experience of strolling along the wooden quay
The landscape project is articulated in the logic of a promenade named Promenade d’Iberville. The promenade experience begins on a wooden staircase with long, non-standard steps and no landings, inviting a customized and surprising physical experience to arrive at an exceptional garden on the roof of the industrial building rehabilitated by architects Provencher_Roy. The design of the green roof, inspired by the wooden dock landscape, marks the identity of the site. It offers an unobstructed view of the port landscape of Old Montreal, while providing a closer view of the cruise ships. For logistics purposes, the roof provides public access to the site when the ferry terminal is secured for international tourists. The walkway on the roof gives access to another staircase that opens up the view and access to the river.
A 6000m2 green roof terrace
On the roof of the rehabilitated ferry terminal, the promenade incorporates green roof technologies to create a garden made up of over 20,000 plants, selected based on in-depth study of species adapted to extreme heat, cold and wind conditions. The roof terrace incorporates over 2,500m2 of green roof framed by wooden decking, offering a circuit punctuated by stops with a few deckchairs to appreciate the verdant setting and splendid views. The synchronization of flowering, the presence of bulbs, grasses and winter-dried flowering stems offer a continually renewed attraction. At the perimeter, the naval-like body grade unfurls in all lightness, giving maximum emphasis to the panoramic experience.
Environmental performance of the roof terrace
The green roof is developed with a view to providing maximum growth soil for the plant stratum of a variety of perennials, while respecting the load-bearing capacities of the rehabilitated building. This technological green carpet improves the building’s thermal insulation by acting as an additional layer of insulation, and reduces the urban heat island effect by absorbing part of the ambient heat. The green roof absorbs a significant amount of rainwater, reducing runoff and the accumulation of water in sewage systems. Plants on the green roof absorb air pollutants and release oxygen, helping to improve the quality of the surrounding air. This verdant layer provides a habitat for a variety of plant species, insects and birds, promoting biodiversity in the urban environment.
In summary, the green roof on this rehabilitated industrial building offers unique panoramas of the city and river, and plays an important role in the application and promotion of sustainable building practices.
Collaboration
