VILLEMARIE

Looks great! Maybe this hot new building will shame the Aecom office building into doing something with that awful blank wall. And thanks to all who posted updated pics...I haven't been there in a while and it's interesting to see the progress.

Thanks for the pics! I was wondering how things were progressing. Do you know if they're still on track for the completion date?

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/montreal/Redesign+strips+Place+Armes+soul/5780266/story.html

What do you think? Good points, or picking at the details?

jesseps: hehe concrete jungle...good one. Had to comment, it made me smile.

Davidbourque: The same reasoning you used about the many varieties of trees would be the one I would use for the tree stability. A tree that has a mature height of less than 7 m has a very slight chance of blowing over, no matter how windy it is since it's not top heavy. Also I think in the article it described how the architect designed the building to protect each section of plant material.

I think it's a great idea, although not sure like the others how aesthetic it would be in real life. There may be a lot of maintenance involved as well with branches and leaves falling and different diseases, etc, but it's definitely worth the effort.

In most cases any kind of green space will soften the impact of a building and make it more welcoming. It will be interesting to see this effect vertically!

I'm sure Montreal has its own share of problems, and Montreal natives would have firsthand experiences with perhaps the less attractive attributes of the city but those visiting have an altogether different viewpoint. I would have to say I'm not surprised that Montreal is gaining attention and acclaim world-wide. There is something so uniquely compelling about this city that I cannot define or pinpoint. Other cities have history, they have a heritage, they have prestige, but for some reason Montreal blends all of these with a fierce and proud patriotism that can only cause admiration from onlookers. Maybe those born in this environment don't realize what a treasure they possess, but I can speak with these Texans and agree wholeheartedly that being in Montreal is like being in a relationship...the more you get to know her, the more you love her.

Keep us updated after the show. This looks great!

Beautiful exterior! Not so sure about the interior...but hey, it's not the part I'll be seeing everyday

...

there are quite a few positions who might seem soulless and meaningless to you but every industry has these positions. In fact it's these positions that keep these companies afloat.

No disrespect to your 'office job', but finance is the bones and gristle of every company. Necessary for functionality, the core of growth etc. etc. Just in case you misinterpreted, VERY IMPORTANT. But soulless; finance doesn't need any kind of stimuli, and kind of creative outlet, any kind of inspiring location to function. Take São Paulo for instance. A financial centre? Absolutely. Nationally critical? Definitely. Heart and soul of Brazil? Way off.

Cyrus: I agree it's hyped up - people need jobs after all But your reasoning gives license to indifferently squander whatever resources are available because someone someday will find a solution to the mess that's made. Sorry, I can't disagree more.

The trouble is that people in North America have great ideals about going green, but none of us have ever ACTUALLY been deprived of necessities, especially in relation to other countries. In theory it's great, in reality very few of us would sacrifice what we would need to to ensure the survival of our planet. It's the same old: out of sight out of mind.

I think I'd be frustrated if the guy in front of me was using his "signalguru" and driving 20 clicks in a 60 zone so he could miss the next red light. And then smugly pulling up beside me as the light I was waiting at turned green. "Good for you, buddy, you missed the red light!!!". Too bad that's all the people behind you could see as they puttered after you.

"Plus the new A-30 along Delson-Candiac is also only 4 lanes, why not more? "

There are more lanes specially dedicated for Mafia use only.

MartinMtl: Great shots! I'm not an expert, but what camera & lens are you using? The detail you've captured is remarkable.

Not an uncommon phenomenon - unauthorized spending, hidden payoffs. We're talking a lot of power and a lot of money coming together. The only difference between Quebec's govt and any other govt is that Quebec's secrets were leaked. The other govts are just paying their henchmen more to keep it covered. Call me cynical, but anyone in politics has dirty hands on one level or another. A politician may have the greatest altruistic motives for being a party leader, but he's in an environment where to uphold his absolutely pure banner of honesty means his certain demise, so he'll modify and find his niche where his conscience doesn't bother him too much. Keeps people happy for the moment, but wheww, when he gets caught, all the rest of the hypocrites turn the guns on him so we don't scrutinize their careers too closely. Slimy.

ewww. Not MUCH better than the renderings. Perhaps someone got inspired by the "Les Jardins" and thought that dirt-brown brick would go well with the theme

Les architectes qui avaient remporté le concours international et à qui on avait confié le concept de la GBQ ont claqué la porte en novembre 2001. Dans une entrevue accordée au Journal de Montréal, hier, l'architecte Marie-Chantal Croft, de Québec, a confirmé qu'elle avait quitté le projet parce que «la GBQ avait préféré un recouvrement de lamelles de verre aux lamelles de cuivre proposées».

 

«Le concept original prévoyait des lamelles de cuivre parce que le cuivre fait partie de l'image et de l'histoire du Québec, comme le bois que nous avons utilisé à l'intérieur», a précisé l'architecte.

Once in a while I face these issues as a designer proposing my ideas to clients. It's not that their points are not valid; they are to an extent, to the extent that the client is going to be the one actually seeing and experiencing the design every day. But what some clients don't realize, and what is frustrating, is that there is a purpose and an underlying theme to materials, shapes and structures that go into the design which can't always be seen from close up. They chose to hire a professional to give them the big picture, but can't stand by and let the professional do their job. By changing an integral part of the design, they are in fact saying "we didn't need to hire you, we've got our own ideas"....so then live with them.

Ironic: they'll probably end up spending more to replace and reinforce the remaining glass panels than if they had installed the copper initially.

I say Montreal should focus on the roads first!!! But great idea, especially recycling used tires that are such a concern for landfills. Also, snow removal shouldn't be more of an issue for rubber than it is for concrete as the snowplows can and should be removing the snow without scraping the sidewalk. Snowplows are equipped with "plow shoes" which can be lowered so that the blade is lifted slightly after the first snowfall to prevent sidewalk damage. As the sidewalk gets a "foundation" of hardpacked snow they can scrape right down to this foundation.

je suis jalouse!!! except the throat singing...yeah, I could skip that part. But the organ = incredible and I can't wait to see it in person.

By the way, the CBC broadcast started out great, I had goosebumps and everything, and then some genious decided to dub over the slow movement with mini interviews...like it was background music or something. Disgusting. Let the music stand on its own. Ditto to the cirque eloize. Time and place for everything.

merci majinoo et joaobruno!

Meh I'm not too impressed with Calatrava, and anyway we could find someone here to make something nicer

I'm with Cyrus on this one. Not that Calatrava's work isn't amazing...it is, it's just I find that the best designs come from designers who have an intimate knowledge of the structure's setting and can integrate the design into the overall atmosphere of the city.

Does anyone know if last night's concert was cached? I was too late to catch it live on CBC, so I'm wondering if they've archived it somewhere?

Montreal`s new symphony hall had a jubilant welcome into the world Wednesday night. It seemed to end with an explosion of sound, a celebratory crescendo that vibrated through the curved wooden walls and boxes.

 

Members of the acclaimed Montreal Symphony Orchestra (who just struck a four-year deal with management AND got a brand new world-class symphony hall) put their hearts and souls into the beautifully frenzied ending to Beethoven`s 9th Symphony and the outstanding Tafelmusik choir made me think I was having a religious experience. It was certainly an Ode to Joy, especially for the musicians, opera singers and their conductor, Kent Nagano, who was given at least four standing ovations. I lost count while watching the crowd go crazy.

 

The hall was packed with some of Quebec`s biggest writers (Dany Laferrière), actors (Michel Côté, Janine Sutto, singer Louise Forestier)and political stars, including three premiers (Jean Charest, Lucien Bouchard and Pierre-Marc Johnson). There was also a free party going on outside.The performance was projected onto the east wall of the hall`s glass façade while the Cirque Eloise performed across the street in a new parkette (all part of the city`s new Quartier des Spectacles).

 

La Maison Symphonique has been a dream and a temporary promise in Montreal for almost 30 years. The musicians played at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, where they sometimes found it difficult to hear each other play. No longer. As Jean Charest declared, the hall is now the diamond of the new Quartier, a jewel for all the world to see.

 

But the hall also has its detractors. One of Montreal`s most esteemed architects, Phyllis Bronfman Lambert, was overheard telling someone as she was leaving that the building is not good looking and its sound is just OK. It`s not the first criticism and it won`t be the last. Initial reviews on the acoustics are mixed, but the acoustics expert says it will take months to adjust the room and adjust the symphony's playing to the room.

 

Still, the completion of the hall is a huge sign that Montreal and Quebec understand the importance of culture and the cultural economy and are prepared to invest in it.

-- Margo Kelly

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/things-that-go-pop-blog/2011/09/montreals-maison-symphonique-greeted-with-ode-to-joy.html