Precident critique - Claude Cormier - Esplanade of Palais des Congrès, Montreal

Built as a public square atop the Palais des congrès parking garage, the 2000m2 site is situated on the boundary between Chinatown, the International Quarter, and Old Montreal. The Esplanade of the Palais des congrès de Montréal acts as a sensory and vibrant gathering space, with an incredible seasonal range. Designed in 2002, the biggest challenge for the project was building on top of a parking garage whilst retaining a reasonable budget. 

Using vegetation-carpeted earth mounds, each topped with a clutch of crab apple trees, (Montreal's official tree), stone borders and meandering paths made of Montreal limestone, the finished urban oasis is an everchanging explosion of colour and texture. Showing the potential impact possible even with a refined planting pallet.

Cormier was clearly inspired by traditional Japanese garden design styles, with the raked sand motif paving, and moss mound emulating shrubbery. The seamless blend between his foreign inspiration, and regional identity is what I most admire about the design, as it blends the unique Montreal character with a globally famous and recognisable landscape style. Using culturally significant trees, and local hardscaping to retain the character of the space, while also providing something that stands out from its surroundings. Its location atop a parking garage also makes the project inspirational, as it utilises what could have been unused space and turned it into an identifiable, engaging public space.

Overall it is one of my favorite landscaped projects due to its simplicity and character. It is a welcoming space, utilising nature and its appeal. The planting is allowed to take the lead in the design, and all other elements seem supplementary. As a space, it is personal and intimate, while externally complementary and cohesive.