The borough announced the results of its urban design ideas contest for the Quartier latin at the Grande Bibliothèque yesterday evening. “This contest let us once again highlight our creators’ talent. I congratulate them for sharing fresh and innovative ideas that will give substance to the formulation and implementation of the SPP. The Quartier latin must affirm its identity at the heart of a metropolis that is constantly becoming more dynamic, hip and cultural,” says, Helen Fotopulos, Member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal, responsible for culture, heritage, design, and women’s issues. 

25 creative ideas for the Quartier latin

The jury members said they were impressed with the very high quality of the projects submitted by the contestants, in both the Architecture and Development categories. Several original proposals were considered very promising. They may be deployed over the short, medium and long term in concert with the borough 

Architecture category 
New forms of housing 

In this category, the jury rewarded participants who proposed to consolidate strategic sectors of the Quartier latin, along with planning concepts that reconcile work and housing. 

Apartments for youth on the vanguard, and green and community dwellings were among the innovative solutions intended to make residing downtown more pleasant. Urban life and housing would coexist harmoniously, to revitalize the district. 

The Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) and the borough will work with the winners to implement housing typologies that offer new ways to live in the city. 

The jury selected two winners:

Atelier Ville Architecture Paysage
Louis Paul Lemieux, architect
DÉAMBULATIONS – QUE SE PASSE-T-IL ENTRE NOTRE PORTE DE LOGEMENT ET LA VILLE?

Poncelet-Boucher
Éric Boucher
MON QUARTIER

The jury gave honourable mention to:

Groupe Leclerc Architecture + Design
Pierre Leclerc, architect
LA LOGE

The popular online favourite was:

Atelier Barda/ Patrick Morand
Patrick Morand
LE BONHEUR EST DANS LE PRÉ

Development category 
Development of public space 

In this category, proposals highlighted the uniqueness and friendliness of the Quartier latin. Some of the winning concepts depicted place Pasteur as a hub of the district, while others focused on the pedestrian experience and sensational, colourful avenues, particularly along Saint-Denis and around the UQAM buildings. 

In general, the proposals portray the district as a place to have fun, a lively gathering place for everyone that never sleeps, whatever the season. Also, knowledge institutions such as UQAM and the Grande Bibliothèque figure prominently, and are upgraded in the urban plans. 

The jury selected three winners:

Atelier Ville Architecture Paysage
Louis Paul Lemieux 
PARTAGES

Maxime Gagné Architecte
Maxime Gagné 
SOUS LES PAVÉS LA LUMIÈRE

WAA INC. Williams, Asselin, Ackaoui et associés inc. 
Antoine Crépeau, landscape architect 
TRASTAFOLI

The jury gave honorable mention to:

Les projets Lavigne + Zaraté inc. 
Jean-François Lavigne, Architecte
LE PROJET ÉCLOSION.

The popular online favourite was:

Atelier Barda/ Patrick Morand
Patrick Morand
LE GRAND DÉTOURNEMENT

Free public exhibition 

All of the competitors’ concepts will be featured, starting tomorrow and until August 17, in an exhibit in the hall of UQAM’s design pavilion, courtesy of the UQAM Design Centre. The public thus has ample time to view all the proposals. 

About the special planning program (SPP)

This contest is part of the participating and inclusive approach the borough initiated in fall 2011. The SPP project will be presented to the municipal council and the partners this summer. The public can express their views on the project at public consultations organized by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) in fall 2012, before the program’s final adoption by the end of the year.

To follow the progress of the contest, visit: www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/villemarie 
or www.mtlunescodesign.com 

Source and information:
Anne-Sophie Harrois, communication officer
Tel.: 514 872-9921 / Cell.: 514 601-9930