Hostile architecture, also known as exclusionary or defensive design, is an intrinsic component of Montreal’s urban spaces—you just may not have noticed it. For most people who call this city home, experiencing urban public spaces is risk-free and innocuous, be it riding on the metro, sitting in the park, or[Read More…]
Tag: Architecture
Joint McGill-Concordia team design net-zero energy dwelling at 2017 Solar Decathlon China
Students and faculty from McGill and Concordia have teamed up to construct a sustainable dwelling to enter the 2017 Solar Decathlon China. This year the competition will be held in Dezhou, China’s ‘Solar Valley’–so named because of the region’s focus on solar power generation. The design theme of this year’s[Read More…]
The Westmount Public Library innovates while keeping its history in mind
The Westmount Public Library (WPL) sits tucked away from Rue Sherbrooke in Westmount with a red brick façade and green-trimmed windows across its exterior. Attached to its right wing is a white-lined greenhouse with frosted windows, and a hint of foliage peeking out from within. The building seamlessly transitions from[Read More…]
Altering the face of history
ues change over time and so do the institutions that were created for specific purposes over various centuries. As cities expand, they are reorganized and refashioned in manners deemed suitable for the ever-evolving societies that inhabit them. Instead of knocking down and rebuilding infrastructure, many cities have repurposed oft-unused buildings[Read More…]
When a sketch comes to life
Since the middle of the 20th century, Arthur Erickson’s buildings have modified Canada’s physical, cultural, and architectural landscape. Université du Quebec a Montréal’s (UQAM) Centre du Design is currently bringing his work to light in Arthur Erickson: Lignes topographiques / Sight Lines, a showcase of previously unseen sketches that would[Read More…]
Street Chronicles: Impressions of Montreal
Along a crowded sidewalk in downtown Montreal panels of mounted photographs overlook McGill College Avenue. At first glance, the photographs offer a simple glimpse into the past, but on closer look, they are mementos of individual lives that have been touched by the city. On another level, the photographs offer[Read More…]
