concrete peninsula

2017

The project showcases a newly developed technology through design. These modular floating docks have a glass powder concrete additive, that greatly reduces pollution from the production of concrete by substituting up to 30% cement by recycled glass. This technology driven project promotes a local Quebec product and provides improved access to rivers in the city. The poetic juxtaposition of concrete floating over water is an entertaining quality that glorifies the innovative characteristic of the material.

Research 

By researching Montreal we stumbled across the river bank and noticed there were no possible ways to access the water. On the entire length of Montreal’s island, there are only a few places accessible to the public. Considering Montreal is a decent size island it made no sense that no installations were made in the most stocked portion of the metropolis. Since there was a great demand from the public to access the water, the project took an unexpected turn and became a tool to democratize the St-Laurent banks.

Technical development 

The proposed concept is composed on 3 different modules that gives us the opportunity to do be creative with the layout. It also helps composing spaces according to the path of the shore. The modules share the same type of assembly to minimise the complexity of installation and assembly. The negative spaces created by the contour modules can either be pools, vegetation surface, wooden deck or hammock.

The final concept is an extension of the city on the water. The concept was originally intended to be installed in public places around the waters of Montreal. The concrete peninsula democratizes the River’s shores by opening them to the public. Now citizens and visitors can have access to a natural source of water to dive in, in order to fight the summer’s heat waves, or hang around and simply relax. It is a stable and durable pavillon to appreciate the nature surrounding the city without having to leave it. The estival installation responds directly to the public’s demand for leisure spaces. But most of all, it is a non-invasive solution to furnish the shores and provide great visibility to an upcoming local technology.