Space for Life, which includes the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, has mandated Lemay's multidisciplinary team to provide landscape architecture services for a major restoration and redevelopment project of the Reception Gardens and its two main fountains for the Montreal Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden represents a destination of choice, a privileged space that is part of the three museums comprised in the Space for Life, one of the most prestigious museum institution in Montreal. Since its foundation by Brother Marie-Victorin at the beginning of the last century, this tourist and scientific hub plays a key role in the social, educational and architectural development of the city. The impact of this restoration project is major for the visitor's perception and experience, given that the Reception Gardens serve as the main entrance of one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens. The quality and sustainability of the gardens as well as its heritage preservation were some of the design criteria guiding Lemay.

The Reception Gardens are an essential part of the Administration Building, designed by Lucien Kérouac (1886 – 1951). This Art Deco-style public building was built in the 1930's, at a time of crisis in-between wars that required imagination and solidarity. More precisely, the fountains, built in 1937-1938 and designed by Henri Teuscher, include reliefs of great delicacy carved in granite by sculptor Henri Hébert. The effect of time and oxidation has greatly altered the appearance of these reliefs as well as the exterior basins. Using the best techniques and sustainable materials, a special attention was given to the mechanical and waterproofing aspect of the fountains and their finish. Finally, the octagonal basin as well as the waterfall tanks were highlighted with a brilliant lighting plan to provide a new dimension of the fountains at night. 

The gardens and accesses remain unchanged, but the repaved alleys were rethink to give way to pedestrians. Vehicles are now forbidden to preserve the serenity of the Reception Gardens that act as a buffer between the city noise and the public garden.

The shade plantings,  located on both sides of the main aisle and the annual plantings, were redesigned to encourage visitors to wander and reclaim the space as their own.

While respecting the history and unique charm of the space, Lemay's redevelopment concept  proposes a new experience and a revamped garden that offers a friendly and lively environment while respecting the best sustainable practices.

About Lemay

Founded in 1957 as an architectural firm, Lemay is one of Canada’s leading integrated environmental design firms, combining architecture, urban design, interior design, landscape architecture, structural engineering and branding into a multidisciplinary and synergetic offer. In order to better service its clients, Lemay expanded its talent pool in 2014 by integrating three entities from Toronto’s IBI Group: DAA, Cardinal Hardy Architectes and Martin Marcotte/Architectes. Now well established in Canada, China, Algeria, Costa Rica and in the Caribbean, Lemay brings together nearly 500 professionals who offer their creativity to support their clients’ business strategies.

Recognized by Deloitte as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, Lemay is also a leader among integrated design firms. Lemay—one of Canada's most-awarded firms—creates distinctive projects of all scales and complexities. In recent years, Lemay has been the driving force behind several landmark projects that have garnered attention here and abroad, most notably the New City of El-Menia in Algeria, the STM Stinson transport centre, the Place d'Armes, the Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, the Mount Stephen Hotel Complex, the Astral Head Office and the Centre Bell (in consortium).

 Technical sheet

Client

Ahmed Abed, Real Estate Manager, Technical Services, Space for Life

Jean Bouvrette, Engineer, Section Chief, Technical Services, Space for Life

André Benoît, Foreman, Botanical Garden, Space for Life

René Pronovost, Director, Botanical Garden, Space for Life                       

Richard Robillard, Foreman , Mechanic and VCCR

Sylvie Perron, Section Head, Horticulture and Collections Division, Botanical Garden, Space for Life

Vincent Roy, Technical Agent, Space for Life

Contractor

Georges Handfield, Project Manager, Groupe Dubé et associés

Project team and LEED consultant | Lemay

Lucie St-Pierre, AAPQ, LEED AP BD+C, Partner, Landscape Architect, Lemay

Benoît Gaudet, AAPQ, LEED AP BD+C , Senior Landscape Architect, Lemay

René Perreault, AAPQ, Senior Landscape Architect, Lemay

Arnaud Villard, Landscape Architect, Lemay

Olivier Morin, Landscape Architect, Lemay

Engineering sub-contractor | EXP project team 

Guillaume Halde, Engineer LEED AP, Director, Infrastructure and Transport, Les Services Exp inc.

Pietro Guerra, Engineer, Director, Mechanic Electricity, Les Services Exp inc.

Marc Mélançon, Engineer, Project Manager, Structure, Les Services Exp inc.