EMILIANO'S GARDEN
Emiliano's Garden is above all a place that generates energy and connects people to each other. It is also a space that links the past to the future and combines Culture and Nature.
CONCEPT
The long-awaited Jardin d'Emiliano takes to the skies and unfolds with force to transform this area of the Quartier des spectacles (QDS) with confidence, innovation and creativity. What a challenge to bring life to this mineralized neighborhood! The Jardin d'Emiliano succeeds in this feat and offers itself as a public space on a human scale that brings freshness, relaxation, dynamism and originality. A very Montreal place instilling a sense of identity and belonging to Montrealers.
Creative tension
Aware of the urban complexity of the project, we advocate a conceptual approach that is rooted in the creative tension that exists between the shape of the city's urban fabric and the circular vocabulary of Emiliano's Garden, as well as between the space experienced as an intimate place of contemplation where residents, such as Emiliano's parents, gather and that of a place open to the meeting, exchange and animation of the Quartier des spectacles.
The mastery of this creative tension on a variable scale is a source of energy for the concept of Emiliano's Garden, which blends in a rich marriage of experiences and ambiances: It is an urban forest, resolutely of its time, and responds to the inescapable ecological transition strategy to address climate change; It is also a mineralized esplanade that hosts QDS activities in the summer; It is finally a magnificent pedestrian bridge that, in addition to connecting the metro to the Promenade des Artistes, constitutes in itself a new multi-sensory experience for residents, workers, Montrealers and visitors.
The Jardin d'Emiliano offers its users multiple pathways on different levels to connect diverse recreational and leisure spaces to points of interest. The dialogue of the three spaces of Emiliano's Garden weaves their surroundings, and merges them aesthetically and functionally with their environment. Thus, President Kennedy Avenue, which is both bikeable and vegetated, the active de Maisonneuve alley, the De Bleury square and the Jeanne Mance square, all become one with the garden experience. The paving of the esplanade unfolds like a carpet covering the entire area, creating an expanded experience for the walker. The vegetation strategy is reflected in the planting of rainwater collection ditches along the President Kennedy Avenue bike path, and in the infiltrating vegetated projections along the active Maisonneuve alley (on its southern flank), as well as at the foot of the wooded mountain of the Emiliano Garden.
The design approach of Emiliano's Garden is based on three founding principles: adaptability, flexibility and sustainability. Like a common thread, these three founding principles allow us to create in demanding urban conditions a living, robust, accessible and inclusive public space of high quality in its materiality, and innovative in the user experience. At all times, residents and visitors are encouraged to make the garden their own and to actively participate, seasonally, in activities supported by a well-diversified program.
In our concept, sustainability is also embodied in the social character of the garden, which is intended to be a sustained collaboration between the city, residents, citizens, institutions and partners of the neighborhood, and this, at different levels: From the creation of the urban forest, its monitoring and maintenance for a period of two to three years, and for which we wish to call upon the entire community, as guardians of the garden ... To the didactic animation of the life of the forest and its inhabitants... To the active participation in the programming during the seasons: cinema and outdoor shows in the spring, Festivals of the Quartier des spectacles in the summer, Christmas market, light therapy and warmth stop in the winter, without forgetting in the fall the community dinner animated by the residents to celebrate the harvest.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Evolution of the Proposal in terms of approach, concept and proposed amenities
The jurors also applaud the evolution of the project. While the concept in the first stage was rather busy, the jury appreciates the simplification of the project in Stage 2. The team was able to focus on a large, precise, controlled and strong gesture to create a true island of freshness and biodiversity for lot no.066.
The jurors also appreciate the sensitivity and attention that the finalist team pays to the user and salute the willingness to include a public participation approach during the development of the project.
Choice and relevance of spatial and formal choices
The jury emphasizes the richness and depth of the formal proposal. The structure is simple, sober and offers softness through its curved elements that contrast with the immediate environment. The team was able to maximize the available space and even go beyond it to create new surfaces. It is a spectacular and theatrical project, which exploits innovative and new approaches to biodiversity and vegetation.
The structure is interesting, simple, and its elevation allows for easy management of traffic on the site, and for it to be closed off during large events. While the jurors recognize in part the relevance of the proposed curves of the walkway, which create interesting routes and generate views of the city, they would nevertheless like to see more justification and argument for its route.
Choice and appropriateness of furniture, materials, plants, lighting
The jurors mention the relevance of the fence that sends a message to users that the vegetated area is not accessible. This is a strong and clear statement to avoid the trampling that often prevents the vegetation from growing and reaching maturity.
The proposal of the steps is an interesting added value that allows a great diversity of uses and an alternative route to that of the footbridge.
However, the sustainability of the trees in the planters is unlikely. The ditch to the south of the site also needs to be validated in order to ensure its real functioning.
Reflection on the maintenance of the site and on the durability of the installations
The jury wondered about the snow removal of the structure and, more broadly, about its winter maintenance. An agreement with the City to propose alternative snow removal strategies will be necessary. The jury also expressed concern about graffiti on the structure. Lighting or anti-graffiti paint would be avenues to explore.
Technical feasibility of the project, including costs of construction and implementation
In general, the jury judges that the project is capable of evolving well in the post-competition phase and that it will be able to remain faithful to the initial ideas.
The concept of "rewilding" convinced the jury. To create a dense vegetated space in an urban environment, it is necessary to limit the interaction between nature and humans. In this respect, the footbridge offers an alternative: instead of walking at the foot of the trees, it is possible to walk through the vegetated area from above. The jurors would have liked more details on the Miyawaki method, but note that this project could become a remarkable laboratory for study.
Meeting timelines and site constraints
To be realized, the project will have to be thought of as a 10- to 15-year program. Monitoring of soil, biomass and forest cover will be required. The integration of the City's teams into the project will also be a mandatory input to its success.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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