In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Expo 67, the monumental World Fair that took place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1967, Dror proposes a new vision for Île Sainte-Hélène: an enchanting cultural space that embraces R. Buckminster Fuller’s Biosphere.
The 50th anniversary of Expo 67, coinciding with the 375th anniversary of the city’s founding, will begin April 27, 2017. The dynamic concept, envisioned for an open area of Parc Jean-Drapeau, provides both a place for reflection and gathering under a planted canopy.
Presenting a hybrid framework for nature and technology, the 150-meter-wide aluminum dome, with its vegetated sound buffer, offers a 21st century backdrop for year-round events: festivals, fairs, concerts, installations, food markets, performances and hackathons.
The studio developed the concept following a tour of the island with the Buckminster Fuller Institute to initiate a discussion around reinvigorating seasonally-used grounds.
Largely influenced by Fuller, studio founder Dror Benshetrit suggests that the dome provides a companion to the American architect’s lonesome structure, originally built as the United States pavilion for Expo 67.
“Interacting like the sun and the moon, our concept engages in a poetic dance with Fuller’s design, realizing the park’s potential in a contemporary context,” he explains. Structural and landscape specialists affirm that it is a responsible and achievable construction, able to welcome up to 60,000 guests, within 2 years.
“As with 1967, 2017 is not just another celebration—it’s the opportunity for a new beginning,” Benshetrit concludes. “Our living dome is a catalyst for dreaming. The possibilities are endless.” Source and images Courtesy of Dror.
I think that is an fascinating point, it made me think a bit. Thanks for sparking my thinking cap. Sometimes I get so much in a rut that I just believe like a record.