Dror for Montreal Expo

Reinvigorating a lonely monument with a 21st century companion
 

In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Expo 67, the studio developed a new cultural landmark for Montreal’s Île Sainte-Hélène, the original site of the monumental World Fair that took place in 1967 and home to Buckminster Fuller's Biosphere. Following a tour of the island with the Buckminster Fuller Institute, I was largely inspired by the unharnessed opportunity that existed within Parc Jean-Drapeau and set out to reimagine the seasonally-used grounds.

I started thinking about Fuller’s geodesic dome, a lonely orphan in the Montreal skyline, and what it takes to form a movement, and our concept was born.

We propose a second, enlarged dome for the western tip of the island that ushers Montreal into the future. Poetically engaging Bucky’s existing structure in a visual dance, interacting much like the sun and the moon, the Biosphere is no longer alone; it has a partner.

Presenting a hybrid framework for nature and technology, our 150-meter-wide aluminum sphere is transformed into a magical cultural space with a planted canopy. This vegetated cover, serving as a natural sound buffer, offers an enchanting and responsible backdrop for events year-round: festivals, fairs, concerts, installations, food markets, performances and hackathons. The possibilities are endless.

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