Adaptive Reuse: An Airy Redesign of Montreal’s Biodome
Photography Credit: Marc Cramer
Originally built for the 1976 Summer Games at Montreal’s Olympic Park, this structure was redefined in the 1990s being turned into a shelter for plants and animals. Now called the Montreal Biodome, it is considered “Canada’s largest natural science museum” and home to a plethora of plant and animal species. The recent renovation led by KANVA and NEUF architectes consisted of taking out the structure’s “core” and exposing the huge glass roof above.
Exposing this glass roof alleviates a heavy necessity for artificial light. Renovation of the original structure creates a new atmosphere inside promoting “sustainability and introducing a biophilic experience from visitor to animal.” Not only is the Montreal Biodome now completely redesigned to house these plants and animals, it also offers sustainable features such as a “high-albedo roof [which] mitigates urban-heat-island effect” as well as a “geothermal heating system.” These attributions are important in understanding “how complex the balance of life is.”
This project is important to Gaia Inspired because of location, sustainability and the new way architects and designers are starting to reinvent space. Located in Kim Nadel’s hometown, she has a personal connection to this project and seeing a sustainable example of adaptive reuse and biodome growth in the community. The Montreal Biodome is a prime example showing the redefinition of how we work, experience facilities and the development of spaces.
To read this article please visit the link below!