Designed at the same time as the Lionel-Groulx, Maximilien-Caron and 3200, rue Jean-Brillant pavilions that surround it, Place de La Laurentienne is representative of functionalist architecture. Funded equally by the University of Montreal and by the Student Life Improvement Fund, made up of non-compulsory contributions from UdeM students, the refurbishment of this important meeting place in the heart of campus was expected. We spoke with Sylvie Gélinas, project manager at the University of Montreal, and Marie-Ève Parent, landscape architect and designer at Lemay.
A complex project
It is by walking through the site that we realize the magnitude and complexity of this project. Because before even thinking about the development of public places, it was necessary to carry out major civil engineering works such as the waterproofing and sealing of three underground tunnels, as well as the integration of seven retention basins.
“The biggest technical challenge was certainly the construction of the retention basins, says Sylvie Gélinas. The steep drop is a major challenge during heavy downpours, and the site must now be able to manage rainwater. The retention basins fill up and reduce the risk of overflows in the public water system. Before, rainwater went into the municipal aqueduct and flowed into the river, but the regulations have been changed, which is a good thing.”
Monumental staircase Jean-Brillant
The monumental staircase located at the entrance to the square, on the rue Jean-Brillant side, required a large wooden formwork allowing the pouring of the concrete structure. “The structure is installed, we are now waiting for the prefabricated steps which will be installed soon using a crane. The rock was deeper than what had been anticipated at this location, the rocks had shapes that were absolutely incompatible with the concrete pillars and there was a storm drain from the City that we couldn’t move: it was a huge challenge. to build that structure! exclaims Sylvie Gélinas. Before, there was a small staircase six feet wide, on the left it has been removed. We cleared the gabbro, the bedrock of Mount Royal that we wanted to highlight, and we revegetated the surfaces with grasses and other native species approved by the City.
Protect and increase tree cover
Since the beginning of the project, an urban forestry professional has regularly visited the site to ensure that the preserved trees are adequately watered. “Several pits will surround the trees which will be planted opposite the Valère terrace: this is a system of caissons installed before the pouring of the concrete which protects the tree and ensures that there is enough earth and space under the concrete so that the roots can continue to spread,” points out Sylvie Gélinas.
The planting plan provides for a 25% increase in tree cover, including 68 deciduous trees, including hackberries and lime trees, 222 deciduous shrubs and more than 1,000 perennials, grasses and ferns. “In the area near the Lionel-Groulx pavilion, 20 trees have already been detailed, selected and reserved, taking into account the size and a minimum trunk diameter that had to be respected, specifies the project manager. In the three triangular benches, oak trees will be planted whose trunk diameter will be larger than the other species, which are all species native to Mount Royal. The plant surface will cover more than 3500 m2.
Gabbro, the bedrock of Mount Royal
Beyond the technical challenges, other issues related to the respect of heritage caught the attention of the designers. The rocky outcrops that can be found all over the campus, and more particularly around the Place de La Laurentienne, are among the many natural attributes of the site highlighted in 1968 by the landscape architect Jean-Claude La Haye, who at the time designed the master plan for the facilities for the campus. For Marie-Ève Parent, it was important to preserve this imprint, both in the natural elements present and in the characteristics of the built facilities.
“You really feel this organic influence that descends resolutely towards the square. The rocky outcrops reveal clusters of gabbro, the bedrock of Mount Royal, which we have sought to expose and highlight, as in the wall that runs along the staircase of the Samuel-Bronfman pavilion or the riprap near the the Lionel-Groulx pavilion that we have just cleaned, which will be surrounded by new native vegetation and on which the monumental staircase will come to lean. This is one of the elements that we preserve from the concept of Mr. La Haye, it will be magnificent!” indicates the landscape architect.
Hexagonal cobblestone and concrete
Also essential is the preservation and enhancement of the characteristic elements of the developments, such as the hexagonal pattern of the triangular-shaped concrete pavers taken from Jean-Claude La Haye’s initial layout (three shades of gray available in six textures) or even the concrete surface materials.
“We worked with the vocabulary of shapes designed by Mr. La Haye and found in several places on the mountain campus,” says Marie-Ève Parent. It was a basic principle of our concept: to preserve these elements, even to reinforce them, by being respectful of the original design, but not only in an aesthetic way. We wanted to act soberly, which we did in the furniture. So we were inspired by what he did and we came up with more contemporary furniture that keeps very clear geometric shapes.”