connective tissue
2011 student work
MONTREAL’S LAND + WATER SYSTEM ALTERATIONS
As the natural land form of the Old Port has been sequentially developed and extended since its founding, and there is a history of land creation and alterations related to Expo ‘67, the project proposes a new 21st century expansion. This expansion consists of a roadway linking the main vehicle arteries bunding the historic area in the form of an underwater parking structure. In doing so, it anticipates Montreal’s plans to eliminate car traffic/circulation from the old streets. The new structure aims to alleviate the congestion this change would generate at the extremities of the car-free zone and compensates for the numerous parking spaces that would be lost.
CAR CULTURE, HEDONISM + THE ENVIRONMENT
In response to the damage transport infrastructure and human hedonism have done to our environment, Connective Tissue strives to re-conceive this relationship and explore the catalytic potential of renegotiating the historic waterfront area of Montreal’s Old Port.
BREATHE / CONTEXT CONNECTION
The new structure strives to maintain a sensitivity to the existent waterfront, a consciousness of the current spaces, functions, events and views, and always aims to enhance these features. Fresh air is pulled into the parking structure from above via vents that also cast light. Simultaneously, the exhaust of the parking structure is expelled above where it sustains vast wetlands that reinvigorate habitats a symbiotic habitat along the St. Laurence, re imagining a new version of the one lost.
All images CC BY Maya Orzechowska 2011