This Vegetated Biosphere Could Change The Future Of Montreal

In anticipation of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Expo 67, Studio Dror  has proposed a 150-meter-wide vegetated dome for Park Jean Drapeau, the original site of the World Fair . The new dome would complement Buckminster Fuller ’s Biosphere , which was built as the U.S . pavilion for Expo 67. 

Following a tour of Île Sainte-Hélène with the Buckminster Fuller Institute, Studio Dror was inspired to propose the new dome as a partner for Fuller’s "lonesome structure."

“Interacting like the sun and the moon, our concept engages in a poetic dance with Fuller’s design, realizing the park’s potential in a contemporary context,” studio founder Dror Benshetrit said in a press release.

Differentiating itself from Fuller’s original dome, the new proposal’s aluminium structure will also include a vegetated sound buffer. “As with 1967, 2017 is not just another celebration -- it’s the opportunity for a new beginning,” Dror Benshetrit said. “Our living dome is a catalyst for dreaming. The possibilities are endless.” 

Providing both an iconic addition to Montreal ’s skyline, and a backdrop for events year-round including music festivals, live performances and public art exhibitions, the space is billed as having the potential to “transform the park into a global cultural destination.”

Structural and landscape specialists have affirmed the possibility of the project, claiming it could be ready to welcome guests in two years.