espace67_293_westmountmag

The magic of EXPO 67
revived with Espace 67

Fifty years after the 1967 International and Universal Exposition or EXPO 67, a mythical destination transformed

With its record number of visitors, the 1967 International and Universal Exhibition, or EXPO 67, is considered the most successful of the major exhibitions of the 20th century.

EXPO 67 is still remembered as a defining moment in the social, cultural, political and technological history of Canada. Opened for six months in Montreal, with the participation of 62 nations, the exhibition has continued by offering a permanent collection of international pavilions, known as “Terre des Hommes”.

… the original core of EXPO 67 has been completely transformed to become the new Espace 67.

Over a half-century after 50 million visitors first discovered the iconic destination, the original heart of EXPO 67 has had a total makeover as the new Espace 67. The transdisciplinary design firm Lemay brought its unique brand of design to rethink, restore and reshape the mythical site on Île-Sainte-Hélène via a vast redevelopment project.

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

Defined by a whimsical new Central Concourse linking the island’s Biosphere to Alexander Calder’s monumental Trois disques sculpture, the transformed multifunctional site now features a 65,000-seat natural amphitheatre as well as a riverside walkway. The project also introduces an Event Village and Natural Agora, eloquent public spaces that can accommodate a variety of functions year-round.

‘… the transformed multifunctional site now features a 65,000-seat natural amphitheatre as well as a riverside walkway.’

“Lemay’s concept blends the enchanting natural setting and rich historic past of this exceptional site, to offer a truly versatile space,” said Andrew King, Partner and Design principal at Lemay. “It has been reborn as a destination unto itself, now able to fully accommodate a wide range of major events.”

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

With its record-breaking number of visitors, the 1967 International and Universal Exposition or EXPO 67 was the most successful World’s Fair of the 20th century. Held for six months in Montreal with 62 nations participating, the exposition afterward remained as a standing collection of international pavilions known as “Man and His World” on the two islands hosting it: Île-Sainte-Hélène, which had been greatly enlarged, and Île-Notre-Dame, which had been entirely created for the event. EXPO 67 is still fondly regarded as a social, cultural, political and technological landmark moment in Canadian history. The revitalization of the site is a legacy of the City of Montreal’s 375th anniversary in 2017.

The concept

Recreating and building on the site’s original signature, Lemay successfully met the project objectives to recreate the spirit of EXPO. By integrating landscape and building architecture, urban design, brand image and signage, the firm created a new attraction in harmony with nature and culture, revealing the site’s genius loci, which is derived from its riverfront character, its stunning views of the city, its historical significance and its diverse vocations.

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

With its integrated design approach, Lemay developed a meaningful adaptive reuse and holistic design strategy to create an original user experience via enhanced reception services, flexible event space and improved visitor orientation for this unique site connecting the island’s north and south shores. It sculpted the space into a geometric pattern defined by inclined planes and the iconic central pathway, which now maximizes views of the Calder sculpture. The latter draws visitors from the metro into the site with its distinctive seating areas, green space and breathtaking views of downtown, Old Montreal and the St. Lawrence River.

‘By building on and building on the original footprint of a mythical place, Lemay’s team successfully achieved the objectives of the project to recreate the spirit of EXPO.’

In addition to improving visitor circulation, the redevelopment showcases the quality of the existing built and natural environment and makes architectural references to the site’s celebrated history, reviving the festive, unifying spirit of EXPO 67.

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

The service pavilions near the site’s entrance and metro station signal its vocation as a celebratory venue. Their envelopes’ shape and treatment, which integrate with the landscape interventions, echo the vocabulary of EXPO 67.

‘…. the redevelopment enhances the quality of the existing built and natural environment while architecturally evoking the site’s illustrious past.’

The pavilion roofs follow the geometric pattern of the pavers in the central aisle, inspired by the triangular architecture of Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome, now known as the Biosphere. This triangular design is reproduced in the floor of the amphitheatre as well as in the perforations of the surrounding walls.

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

The pavilions’ volumes, materiality, façades and lighting make them key wayfinding elements that guide visitors through the site’s experience as they fulfil reception, information, restaurant and administrative functions. Their positioning also facilitates crowd management during events.

The amphitheatre covers a huge area but can be adjusted to accommodate events of different sizes while offering an inviting, interesting space when not in use. The triangular pattern of the paving stones recalls the predominantly geometric shape of the Terre des Hommes era, evident for instance in the structure of Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome, now known as the Biosphere.

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

Lemay’s thoughtful and strategic integration of nature, culture and site memory has created another unique urban destination, enhanced by a landscape signature highlighting the majestic river, spectacular urban and natural panoramas and the multifunctional vocation of a treasured site.

Technical Datasheet

Project Team
Lucie Saint-Pierre: Landscape Architect, Project Director
Andrew King: Lead Designer
Mylène Carreau: Landscape Architect, Project Manager
Patricia Lussier: Landscape Architect, Design Manager
Pierre E. Leclerc: Architect, Design Manager

Design and Production Team
Jean-Philippe Di Marco, Carlos Santibanez, Valérie Gravel, Milyausha Gabdrakhmanova, Simon Pelletier, Benoit Gaudet, Jean-François Doyon, François Ménard, Arnaud Villard, Joseph-Marie Tremblay.

Partners: Trizart, Groupe DDM
Engineering: WSP
General Contractor: Pomerleau
Lighting Design: Ombrage

Espace 67 - Lemay – WestmountMag.ca

About Lemay: Creative intelligence. Collective value

Founded in 1957 as an architectural practice, Lemay is a leading provider of integrated design services for the built environment. Its unique blend of creativity, large-firm capacity and transdisciplinary service offering brings client aspirations to life, creating sustainable value for users and communities around the world. The firm’s commitment to design excellence, supported by over 350 awards and distinctions, also translates into the lemayLAB, an instrument of research and innovation in all aspects of design. Lemay brings together some 450 professionals, earning it a world ranking of 52nd largest (2019 World Architecture 100).

Images : Marc Cramer, Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau, Lemay

Bouton S'inscrire à l'infolettre – WestmountMag.ca

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