Habitat 67 is a model community and housing complex in Montreal, designed in 1967 by the then 23-year-old Israeli–Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, and originally conceived as his masters thesis in architecture at McGill University. Sandy van Ginkel, his former thesis advisor, approached him to develop a plan for Expo 67, Montreal’s World Fair in 1967.
The theme of Expo 67 was “Man and his World”, and housing was one of the main themes.
Safdie decided to propose his thesis as one of the pavilions. His plans were approved by Mitchell Sharp,
the federal minister responsible for the exhibition, and Lester B. Pearson, and in spite of his relative youth and inexperience, Safdie was awarded the project, an opportunity he later described as ”an amazing fairy tale”.
Habitat 67 comprised 354 identical, prefabricated concrete forms arranged in various combinations, reaching up to 12 storeys in height. Together these units created 146 residences of varying sizes and configurations, each formed from one to eight linked concrete units.
The blocky complex was one of the thematic pavilions for visitors and would demonstrate how future housing could be constructed modular, and use interlocking forms to create useful and pleasant spaces. The prefab cubical units varied from one to four bedroom apartments, each with its own terrace.
During the event the most dramatic units with the best views, were reserved for dignitaries coming to Montreal.
The development was financed by the federal government, but is now owned by its tenants, who formed a limited partnership that purchased the building from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in 1985.
Safdie still owns a penthouse apartment in the building.
Several apartments have since been joined to create larger units, reducing the original total number. Each unit is connected to at least one private terrace, which can range from approximately 225 to 1,000 square feet in size.
What started as a student project in the 60s has now been designated a heritage site by the Quebec government.
Habitat 67 is located on the Marc-Drouin Quay on the Saint Lawrence River at 2600, Pierre Dupuy Avenue in Montreal.
By Dick Nieuwendyk – [email protected]
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