Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Expo 67, a seminal World’s Fair in Montreal. One of the most famous buildings for the event was the Biosphère, a geodesic steel dome designed by architect Buckminster Fuller. The building still stands as an environment museum.
To honor the building, the anniversary of the Expo, and the city’s 375th birthday, Studio Dror, led by designer Dror Benshetrit, has created another geodesic dome.
The concept calls for a 150-meter-wide aluminum dome with vegetation wrapped around the frame to serve as a sound buffer. Located at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Saint Helen's Island, the new dome can hold events like festivals, concerts, food markets, and art installations throughout the year.
The dome will be a companion to the nearby Biosphère (though it will be approximately twice as wide). Benshetrit said he was inspired after a tour of the island.
“I started thinking about Fuller’s geodesic dome, a lonely orphan in the Montreal skyline, and what it takes to form a movement, and our concept was born,” Benshetrit said in a statement. “We propose a second, enlarged dome for the western tip of the island that ushers Montreal into the future. Poetically engaging Bucky’s existing structure in a visual dance, interacting much like the sun and the moon, the Biosphere is no longer alone; it has a partner.”
The firm said the dome will be able to accommodate up to 60,000 guests within two years of its completion.
Next year is big for Canada, as along with all of Montreal’s celebrations, the nation itself is turning 150 years old.
Concerts, fairs, and food markets can be held at the new dome. Click image to enlarge.
The new dome (far left) and the Montreal Biosphère at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Click image to enlarge.
Related Stories
| Jun 22, 2012
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years With the Opening of New Bridge Pavilion
With features such as Nichiha's Illumination series panels, super-insulating glass units, and LED lighting, the new Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion not only boasts the bridge's famous international orange, but green sustainability as well
| Jun 22, 2012
Revitalization Efforts Advance in Hackensack, N.J.
Work progresses on Cultural and Performing Arts Center and Atlantic Street Park
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 29, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Phase I of Acadia Gateway Center
Project receives LEED Gold certification.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 22, 2012
Casaccio Architects and GYA Architects join to form Casaccio Yu Architects
Architects Lee A. Casaccio, AIA, LEED AP, and George Yu, AIA, share leadership of the new firm.
| May 14, 2012
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons
Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital
How a Building Team created a high-tech rehabilitation center for wounded veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
| May 3, 2012
U of Michigan team looking to create highly efficient building envelope designs
The system combines the use of sensors, novel construction materials, and utility control software in an effort to create technology capable of reducing a building’s carbon footprint.