This playful and polymorphic urban furniture concept offers a range of activities for the pleasure of young and old. The configurations of the space are constantly changing. The esplanade is alive, in perpetual movement, and this is what makes this unique place so interesting. The Montreal backyard is the main theme of this project. The whole installation refers to it: The panoply of suggested forms is a wink to the animals and plants that can be found in the alleys of Montreal, the palette of bright colors reminds us of the children's games scattered in the backyards, the material of manufacture of the Blocks, made exclusively of recycled plastic, make this large-scale project an exemplary realization in the consideration of ecological issues.
The blocks are playful furniture elements that can be manipulated and moved by passers-by. The profusion of these colorful furniture elements gives the Esplanade Tranquille a giant playground look. The blocks come in two distinct forms and can be used as separate seating or in an infinite number of combinations. Everyone can fully appropriate the space by reshaping the configurations. This active participation is even encouraged by the possibilities of play. The HDPE plastic material offers a smooth, colorful finish. The top surface of the blocks has a slight curved slope, which does not limit seating comfort but avoids vertical buildup. The blocks slide easily between each other and on the granite floor, but have more grip on the rubber mats. Thus, the large circle of red carpet gives a frame to the play area without creating an obstacle.
The device allows to participate in the construction of a graphic imagination. The participants can reproduce the models, decline them or create new forms. Each element is light enough to be moved by one person, yet the scale of the game encourages collaboration. An alphabet has been specially designed from the blocks and will allow to write huge messages. A device including a camera installed on the superstructure and an interactive screen terminal allows to visualize its creation and to observe in real time the result. An application allows to take pictures from this camera and to retrieve them on his cell phone.
Made exclusively from post-consumer HDPE plastic, this 90% recycled material will provide objects that are as durable as they are aesthetically pleasing, light, flexible and resistant. The vacuum-forming process is used to produce these blocks. The post-consumer plastic is supplied in the form of sorted (HDPE) and decontaminated granules. The resin is then dyed in the mass and extruded into a sheet ready to be formed on molds. The colors presented are possible to obtain thanks to a neutral and environment-friendly dye.
It is possible to secure the installation at night thanks to the holes in the blocks which allow the passage of a cable. Alternatively, it is possible to store all the blocks in the container available on site.
The Carousel is composed of a circular platform rotating on a frame, itself installed on a motorization frame. This assembly pivots around the central axis thanks to the rails of the turntable wheel. A static circular step and a ramp allow universal access. On the rotating platform, four swivel pods with their giant animal figures offer users a playful experience during each ride. At night, the integrated and dynamic lighting will give a festive atmosphere to the square.
A true interactive work, the mobile fountain is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to add a playful dimension to the experience. A removable floor platform, installed on a dismountable structure, is made of tank modules that connect to each other. Each module is composed of a recycled HDPE tank covered with a soft non-slip material. Some are equipped with an individually controlled water jet. Other floor structure elements and a ramp are easily installed around the periphery of the fountain floor to allow universal access. The four giant flower poles are equipped with additional interactive water jets and dynamic lighting. The magic of this system lies in its fully programmable jets that can be synchronized with music, in color and in rhythm, to allow for infinite possibilities and thus become artistic works or interactive water games depending on the scenario.
Both playful and educational, the Container-Workshop on the edge of the esplanade allows visitors to discover the process of plastic recycling. This container is set up as a micro-workshop and exhibition, making it a participatory demonstration tool. Passers-by are invited to see how it is possible to give value back to the waste that ends up in nature.
In keeping with Montreal's commitment to sustainable solutions, this project is an opportunity to showcase environmental protection initiatives. An educational dimension can even be integrated into the communication, explaining the complete life cycle of the blocks. The whole process will be exposed, from the local collection of waste to the transformation of the plastic, the manufacturing of the Blocks to their potential for recycling in the future. In a way, the project can help the city of Montreal meet its ecological commitments, creating positive experiences for its citizens, while limiting its impact on the environment.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
Quality of the proposal
The jury emphasizes from the outset that the social and environmental component of the project is a great strength of the concept. In fact, it is the only proposal to have exploited this avenue.
On the other hand, although the collaborative and sharing aspect is put forward, the narrative remains weak and not developed. The jury also points out that it is unfortunate that the container workshop aimed at discovering the recycling process was not included in the proposal (optional and out of budget). The educational component of the project would have been appropriate on the Tranquille esplanade and the team would have benefited from prioritizing this aspect of the project.
Experiential qualities
The collaborative and interactive aspect of the project is interesting. The playfulness of the block game is a good response to the commission. The fact of being able to draw and build an assembly of blocks is also an appreciable element of the concept which contributes to enrich the experience. The digital component is also complementary and justified.
Formal and landscape qualities
The variety of shapes and colors is an element that was positively judged by the jury. It is bright, playful, and luminous.
Although the team attempted to limit the play area in Stage 2 by adding a mat, it will still be difficult to compel users not to move the blocks out of the play area. This proposal creates visual clutter in this already busy plaza.
Functional qualities, durability and ease of use, feasibility
From a functional and technical standpoint, the proposal remains weak and the team was unable to convince the jury of many of the issues raised by the technical committee. The jury underlined, among other things, the questionable durability of the plastic blocks and interactive components over a period of 10 years, the large number of removable parts which makes management, maintenance and daily storage difficult, the risk of significant theft of the blocks, as well as the constraints of the thermoforming manufacturing process which will considerably change the cubic and monolithic aspect of the blocks (cube with a visible joint in the center, with slightly angled walls).
Given the significant issues raised above and the team's weaker qualification, the jury has doubts about the feasibility of this project, feasibility being defined as "the likelihood of fully meeting the project's limitations with respect to allocated resources (human and budgetary), established deadlines, and site constraints.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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