Montreal's birthday gift: City to revamp exotic biodome for 375th anniversary
by Kim Megson | 12 Aug 2016
The first renderings of Montreal’s planned new biodome have been released by architecture studio KANVA.
The dome, which has been part of the city’s natural science museum Space for Life since 1992, is being extensively revamped as part of Montreal’s 375th birthday celebrations.
KANVA won an international competition for the project in 2014 after creating a concept design to “rethink the relationship between mankind and nature” and bolster the museum’s social mission to educate the public.
The renderings reveal the biodome will represent four ecosystems of the Americas: the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St Lawrence and the Sub-Polar Regions (Arctic and Antarctic). The new dome will host over 4,500 animals from 250 different species, as well as 500 plant species.
The architects have reorganised the public spaces on the main floor to liberate the grand hall. A new mezzanine level will be added above the re-designed Sub-Polar ecosystem to make use of the biodome’s height, create a new observation point and better frame the ceiling structure. New passages from two of the ecosystems will service this level to provide a more diverse route through the attraction.
To minimise the need for demolition of existing infrastructure and the ecosystems already in place, the dome’s new skin will be created using a flexible white material that can stretch around different forms, contrasting with the existing concrete architecture as “a bold intermediary” between the building and its ecosystems.
“The overall revitalisation strategy is one of insertion within a living organism; the continuous curved wall fluidly wraps each ecosystem like a skin, acting as both container and contained,” said KANVA in a statement. “Drawing upon the biodome’s history of movement, the floor to ceiling wall sweeps through the interior space, serving as a canvas that accompanies visitors through the many pathways and the new central hub.”
In addition to the biodome, Space for Life – which is operated by Muséums Nature Montréal – has an insectarium, a botanical garden and a planetarium. The museum, which receives almost two million visitors a year, is located within Montreal’s Olympic Park, and the biodome was originally built as a velodrome for the 1976 Olympic Games.
The dome is scheduled to close in September 2016 for construction to begin before reopening next year. Canadian studio NEUF architect(e)s are also collaborating on the project along with structural engineers NCK.
Montreal Canada biodome KANVA NEUF architect(e)s Space for Life 1976 Olympics Montreal Olympic Park architecture design attractions
The new dome will host over 4,500 animals from 250 different species, as well as 500 plant species Credit: KANVA
A flexible white textile will be used for the curving walls Credit: KANVA
The biodome is part of the popular Space for Life museum Credit: KANVA
The new design aims to better connect mankind and nature Credit: KANVA
Visitors will be led on a journey through the four diverse ecosystems Credit: KANVA
The new dome is set to open next year, in time for the city's anniversary celebrations Credit: KANVA
The white skin used for the interiors will contrast with the dome's concrete shell Credit: KANVA
The biodome was once a velodrome and is located in Montreal's Olympic Park Credit: KANVA
According to KANVA, the continuous curved wall fluidly wraps each ecosystem like a skin, 'acting as both container and contained' Credit: KANVA
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The first renderings of Montreal’s planned new biodome have been released by architecture studio KANVA. The dome, which has been part of the city’s natural science museum Space for Life since 1992, is being extensively revamped as part of Montreal’s 375th birthday celebrations. KANVA won an international competition for the project in 2014 after creating a concept design to “rethink the relationship between mankind and nature” and bolster the museum’s
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