champ-de-mars competition

Montreal, Quebec
This Rivulet is Sometimes Dry... .

Creating a new public space near the Champ-de-Mars metro station, made possible by closing off the Ville-Marie highway and by the relocation of off ramps, is an important step towards revitalizing the area. Pursuing the sequence of public spaces along the East-West axis occurs in parallel with the linking of the natural circulation avenues between the faubourg Saint-Laurent to the North, and Old Montreal, to the South. The empty space created by this urban trench, and the possibilities of bridging it, bring about a reflection on themes of belonging and how to re-appropriate what were once natural circulation paths. Our intervention aims not only to provide a more functional space, but also to encourage more interactions and cultural exchanges on this circulatory plaza.

The inscription “This Rivulet is Sometimes Dry” appears on Montreal fortification plans from 1758 and acted as a guiding element throughout our conceptual reflection. The image of the dry riverbed, once the Saint-Martin stream that crossed the area from East to West, is recreated by creating a floating alley that diagonally crosses the site, insuring a visual and functional link between the metro station, the Champ de Mars and Montreal’s town hall.

The topographical quilt that borders the central alley is composed of two promontories covered by mineral and vegetable surfaces, forming a sequence of dry and wet landscapes that run into a basin beneath the central alley. These inclined planes, at times covered by a thin film of water, slowly trickle down into the stream’s bed, recuperating rainwater, which is then returned into the system. During dry spells, when the riverbed no longer contains any water, the system temporarily shuts down, until the next rainfall. This plaza; sometimes wet and sometimes dry, allows ease of access for pedestrians, but also incites passers-by to stop and undertake a variety of activities and water games on the site. At an urban scale, the directionality and composition of the site, directs the circulation flux towards the town hall and towards the new information kiosk, this path then leads to the Champ de Mars, the Place Vauquelin and, finally, to the Place Jacques-Cartier. In the opposite direction, one’s gaze is directed to the metro station and its particular architecture, where Marcelle Ferron’s stained glass artwork is prominently featured. The glasswork is also reflected in the water basins that surround the metro station, accentuating the beauty of the colours and composition of the work.

The two open spaces located at the extremities of the site allow additional uses of this plaza. Furthermore, improvements to the circulation flows, the strengthening of the links between the neighbourhoods and surrounding services, and the creation of recreational zones for workers and residents alike will ensure a rapid revitalization of the sector.

Finally, taking advantage of the site’s southern orientation, made possible by the diagonal division of the lot, the entire block will become an urban haven, tucked into a shallow valley that isolates passers-by from the elements, traffic and the often disruptive sounds of the city, all the while revealing the city’s skyline beyond its bounds.