
In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Expo 67 and to celebrate Montreal's 375th anniversary, New York-based architecture firm Dror unveiled a new vision for Saint Helen's Island.
Wrapped in a vegetated giant living geodesic dome (sited opposite of Buckminster Fuller's iconic Biosphere) would offer a public year-round gathering space that could accommodate festivals, concerts, food markets, and more.
Crafted as an alternate vision to Parc Jean-Drapeau's development plan, Dror's dome proposal combines nature and technology into an ambitious vision to transform the park into a global cultural destination.Studio Dror developed its proposal following a tour of the island with the Buckminster Fuller Institute. "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," said the Dror team about it.
Their 150-meter-wide aluminum sphere is transformed into a magical cultural space with a planted canopy. This vegetated cover, serving as a natural sound buffer, offers an enchanting and responsible backdrop for events year-round: festivals, fairs, concerts, installations, food markets, performances and hackathons. The possibilities are endless. The project will be finished within as little as two years.