Alto Design, Dikini, and Lateral + Induktion have won the Ville de Montréal’s multidisciplinary design competition to embellish Esplanade Tranquille with playful urban furniture.
The winning proposal includes a fountain with a spiral access ramp, a carrousel spun by users, and modular net hammocks for relaxation.
The jury felt that the “tranquil oasis proposal best met the challenge of integrating the range of playful furniture into the square. The fun elements all exist harmoniously side by side with the existing apparatus. The proposal illustrates the team’s grasp of the site’s volumes and the ability to read the site at a glance (such as grouping the furniture into a well-defined cluster).”
The jury added, “the proposal is functionally solid. Removal and storage issues have been dealt with. The team also addressed the technical committee’s concerns about durability and ease of maintenance of the hammock netting.”
The jury also appreciated “the presentation’s quality, the team’s extensive expertise, and their openness to working with the city and the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership to adapt the concept if necessary. While the proposal still has several technical hurdles at this stage, the jury is confident that the team will be able to overcome them.” – Jury Report excerpts
The winning proposal’s durability, creativity, and innovation in the service of the green and social transition make it highly consistent with the Montréal Agenda 2030 for Quality and Exemplarity in Design and Architecture.
Installation of the furniture on Esplanade Tranquille should begin in spring 2021, with public access planned for summer 2021.