A new magical cultural icon for Montreal by Dror

The New York-based studio Dror developed a new magical cultural icon for Montreal in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Expo 67.

Architect: Dror
Location: Montreal, Canada

Follow the architects: 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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