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Place Laval
By : CINQDIXQUINZE
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Street Terrace / Parkland : Platinum Winner
Background and challenges
In recent years, downtown Gatineau has been faced with two significant challenges.
Firstly, the return to the office of government employees has taken longer than expected, and natural traffic levels will probably never return to pre-pandemic levels. Secondly, there is a lack of space for large-scale outdoor activities, or simply for passers-by to eat or rest, for example.
The Place Laval project is therefore an attempt to transform a parking lot in the heart of downtown into a versatile terrace offering a convivial space for visitors, as well as evenings of varied artistic programming during the summer.
Challenges
The design team quickly identified four challenges. Firstly, Place Laval is an outdoor project, close to a busy street, with no security assigned to the site regularly. Secondly, the infrastructure had to be installed without permanent anchors, so that they could be easily removed by City crews at the end of the season. These two constraints obliged the team to protect the technical equipment on stage by working around a shipping container. In addition, it was logical to create pieces as massive as possible to limit the risk of theft. The idea of the long undulating table was born at this point.
Place Laval had to be multifunctional. The team therefore prioritized a simple yet flexible configuration, allowing for stage shows, group activities (yoga classes, for example) and more spontaneous use by passers-by to eat, relax or work outside.
Finally, it was necessary to integrate the two nearby murals by artists Philippe Landry and Marin Mitrasinovic. Since they are intended as a way of celebrating “life in all its guises and follies”, it was logical to opt for a bright, colourful artistic direction for the entire project.
Concept
The general concept is based on the possibilities and constraints of the environment. As much recycled wood as possible to limit the impact of the project. A few large pieces of modular furniture to limit the risk of theft and wear and tear on equipment. A site plan that allows for several types of activities and creates a sense of liveliness at all times. The use of adjacent buildings to create shaded areas in what would normally be a city heat island. An unusual art direction to integrate with the existing street art. A sustainable concept that can be easily adapted from year to year without damaging the surroundings.
Sustainability
Aiming to create a concept with the smallest possible footprint, it was only natural to work with as many recycled and/or reusable materials as possible. The wooden pallets used to build the stands were salvaged from nearby businesses, limiting the need for new materials and transport. The same approach was taken for the container, which had already been used for another event near Place Laval. For the rest, the infrastructures were designed to be easily repaired, painted and reused for new editions of Place Laval, with a refreshed artistic direction. Finally, it was obvious that the site had to be accessible to people with reduced mobility, hence the idea of keeping the front stage space easily accessible by wheelchair, for example.
Collaboration
