Esplanade Tranquille pavilion – Montreal
“I particularly remember visiting the Esplanade Tranquille pavilion, located in downtown Montreal. It is an indoor and outdoor public square in the heart of the entertainment district. I first visited this space as part of a panel the Office of Design was hosting. Here are the two main things that made my experience one that is positive:
The unexpected / the discovery: I was amazed to discover this quiet place in the heart of the frenetic entertainment district. The contrast between these two states contributes to the quality of the place. I also appreciated the discovery of a public space on the second floor of the pavilion, a much-used gathering place that I didn’t know existed in the city I’ve lived in all my life. On my subsequent visits to the first one, I enjoyed sitting in the common space of the pavilion, among people of all ages. It was a positive experience to be in a public place used by a diversity of people. Another part of the unexpected and discovery is the view from the pavilion of skaters from the most experienced to the most novice. This shared experience with unfamiliar people of a constantly changing bird’s eye view enriches the experience of the place.
A proximity to the elements / people: This positive and personal experience of this small detail still makes me think. It is about an outdoor walkway connecting the indoor public space to a multipurpose room. On the day of the event we were organizing in the multi-purpose room, it was cold and raining. As I was helping to organize the panel, I walked through this walkway several times. I always came out wet, disheveled, but also energized and happy. I enjoyed being in contact with the natural elements, as difficult as they can be at times. During one of these crossings, someone shared with me their negative experience of this outdoor walkway and I in turn shared with them my positive experience of this same few meter long space. I appreciated the fact that a space, because of the weather, elicits reactions, exchanges, debates and in the process some connection with others.
Beyond the undeniable qualities of the architecture of the pavilion space, but also because of them, i.e. the durable materials, the large windows, the choice of furniture and the harmonious layout of the interior spaces, the greatest quality of this built environment is, in my opinion, its capacity to welcome and bring together a large number of people in their diversity.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.172).
Photos taken from FABG’s website: Esplanade Tranquille – Quartier des Spectacles – FABG (arch-fabg.com)
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