Design ideas competition for the installation of permanent grandstands on Île Notre-Dame

L'esplanade habitée

The distinguishing feature of this proposal is an approach that seeks to reconcile the Hairpin Turn and Senna Curves, the two extremities of the race track, through a grand unifying gesture. The jury members applaud this clearly stated ambition: beyond simply satisfying a functional requirement, the proposal embodies a signature vision befitting major events while endowing the park with a bold architectural identity. The strength of the project lies in its potential for shaping a new human-built landscape, incorporating diversified spaces that maximize the economic potential and appeal of the site, especially the Senna Curves area.

Les gradins de l’île Notre-Dame

This proposal is notable for its clarity and architectural rigour, which highlights the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and displays a degree of esthetic continuity with the existing paddock design. It is a powerful, efficient gesture, perfectly suited to the requirements of F1, relying on a simplicity of form that indicates potential for financial viability. The jury noted the project’s pragmatic aspects: the design successfully employs a less-is-more approach (see, for example, the sectional view on Board 5, which reveals smart optimization of existing structures). The grandstand covering deftly transforms temporary structures into a durable, coherent whole. The overall esthetic is understated, informed by a structural logic recalling the typology of North American football stadiums. Although that association bolsters the effectiveness of the whole, it somewhat hinders exploration of more innovative possibilities.

Relief habité

This project stands out for its simplicity of form and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the site’s hybrid nature. The intention is clear: the efficacy of the design is informed by the landscape rather than built elements. Emphasizing the idea of “inhabiting at ground level” and activating the site without adding superfluous permanent infrastructure means that users will reclaim the park in a seamless, inclusive manner. The jury members appreciated the effort to ensure functionality even when sports events are not in progress, drawing on the natural character of the site and its purpose as a public park while fulfilling its role as a key attraction. The team has devised a careful staging of the entrance to the park that skilfully leverages its topography to produce multiple vantage points. The subtle use of relief produces connections between the different sections of the site and offers traffic solutions without conflicting with the natural setting. Access to the upper and lower parts of the grandstands is intuitive. There is careful treatment of the area behind the Hairpin Turn, and the sectional views (Board 6) appropriately address the entrance to the Olympic rowing basin. 

Un jour, un jour, une jeunesse en fougue

The differentiating feature of this project is its resolutely architectural stance, which favours conservation over a clean-slate approach. The jury especially appreciated the decision to retain all of the Olympic Games legacy facilities, considering this zone not as a constraint but as a historical foundation that cannot be overlooked. The new structures integrate seamlessly with the whole, reflecting a profound respect for the park’s built heritage. The proposal’s most compelling aspect is its acute sense of place. The project is grounded in a narrative firmly rooted in the site’s identity, with an architectural language echoing that of Place des Nations. This conservation-oriented approach offers a relatively realistic solution. Its formal and structural complexity, however, casts doubt on its adaptability over time, and could cause managers to question the global lifecycle of the permanent grandstands. The glazed spaces between the grandstands offer significant spatial design potential that could be favourable to active use of the site outside of event periods and encourage complementary uses.