associate of the Pelletier De Fontenay agency and winner of a grant from the Architectural League in New York
Céline Poisson
professor, Director of advanced studies in events design, École de design, UQÀM
Sonia Marquès
Brazilian architect, urbanist and sociologist
Mouna Andraos
designer and co-winner of the Phyllis-Lambert Design Montréal Grant (2010)
The members of the jury agreed on joint first-prize winners, not because there was a stalemate, but to assert that as presented, the problematic, the site, and the issues left room for participants to take two approaches, on their face radically different but in fact similar in that they show utopia to be realistic. The two proposals are equally relevant and legitimate. In both cases we see alternative approaches far removed from conventional urban planning, architecture, and design; new approaches that are not simply solutions to problems, but that turn the problem inside out to make the solution evident. Where they propose activities, they do it flexibly, directing the participant or user without being too constraining or giving explicit instructions.
la critique et le possible, la folie et la symphonie
Carleton University, School of Architecture
Benoît Lagacé, Adam Johnston, Jessica MacDonald, Cipriano Nolan, Josh Armstrong
Jury’s comments:
The proposal identifies the contours of the task in that it simultaneously conjures mental images of chaos and hope. There is discussion of a “seedling syndrome” as both a cause of chaos and a symptom of every possibility: multiple interventions, devices, the inevitable potholes, a skate park, a massive Zen garden, a theatre hanging from a crane – a collection of scenarios at once zany and credible. The site as a site of madness, a test for the nerves and imagination alike, elegantly presented, self-assurance evident in both concept and drawing. The project is in tune with recent events, aberrations, scandals.
CUEILLIR UN NUAGE:
l'insoutenable légèreté, ça peut marcher
UQÀM, stagiaires diplômées du DESS, design d'événements
Anik Poirier, Albane Guy
Jury’s comments:
Clouds, a hail of candies from above: a naiveté or playful pretentiousness that can often be ham-fisted but in this case hits the mark. The subtlety of the design extends into every detail (small rolled cards as a medium). The project is candid (candy), turnkey, speaks simply and clearly to everyone, exists apart from the event through traces and memories. Bravo for a fine scenario. Sold! Both to the jury and the people of Montréal-Nord.
Université de Montréal, Faculty of Environemental Design
Céline Mertenat, Danny Aubin, Frédérick Boily
Jury’s comments:
Several proposals took the tack of trying to negotiate the border – generally a radical approach focused on or around the street or the boulevard. “The all-season lawn” is the best example, as it succeeds in solving the problem effectively. The jury appreciates the approach to the problem: a simple idea, physical activities included, complete with guaranteed social interaction and sociability. A successful “ad with punch.”
McGill University, School of Architecture
Tristan Cleveland, Aisha Sheikh, Emma Greer, Ali Nouri, Varun Thautam
Jury’s comments:
Through multimedia communications, this project closes the loop, taking the boulevard and turning it in on itself, suggests new debates, takes the street and the line and fashions them into a centre and a place. The project itself is well presented and communicated.
