Native structure studio Lemay aimed to rethink the connection between “the constructed and the pure” in its revamp of Théâtre de Verdure, which consists of a stage on an island and a fan-shaped seating space.
The open-air theatre is positioned inside La Fontaine Park, which encompasses 34 hectares in Montreal’s Le-Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood.
The Théâtre de Verdure, or Inexperienced Theatre, first opened in 1956. The stage portion sits on a small island in a lake, and the seating space is positioned simply throughout the water.
“This emblematic web site is a well known hub of arts and tradition, internet hosting 1000’s of free reveals through the years,” stated Lemay, an structure studio headquartered in Montreal.
Regardless of being a beloved vacation spot, the theatre fell into disrepair and was shuttered in 2014. Plans to revitalise it emerged a number of years later, and the fee was in the end awarded to Lemay.
The staff aimed to perform a number of objectives, together with honouring the positioning’s historical past and benefiting from the pure setting. The architects ended up conceiving a “theatrical vacation spot built-in with nature”.
“The theatre has now been enhanced with a brand new four-season idea that redefines the connection between theatre and park, structure and panorama, and the constructed and the pure,” stated Lemay.
The unique stage constructing was torn down, and as a replacement, the staff created an oblong, steel-framed constructing. Facades are partly lined with light-grey steel poles.
The again wall will be closed or opened up, enabling views via the constructing.
“Framing the panorama of La Fontaine Park by opening onto it, the structure of the theatre maximises views of each the stage and the encompassing inexperienced house,” the staff stated.
Throughout from the stage, the staff put in benches made from wooden, concrete and metal, which type a fan-shaped seating space that holds about 1,700 folks. There may be house for a further 250 folks on the grass.
The undertaking additionally concerned the redesign of a brick constructing that serves as a welcome centre and storage space. Plus, the staff created new entrances, prolonged a walkway across the lake and added greenery.
Bushes had been preserved and low vegetative cowl was added, forming “new views that open up each on the theatre and on the encompassing park”.
“In an method the place the boundaries between the 2 turned blurred, the undertaking developed as an unlimited scenography of the panorama via structure,” stated Lemay senior accomplice Eric Pelletier.
The revitalised web site is supposed to enchantment to theatre-goers, together with the informal passerby.
“The structure invitations discovery, each inside and out of doors the positioning,” the staff stated.
“Guided by an inclusive and pluralistic imaginative and prescient that broadens the theatre’s mission and reaffirms its heritage identification, this public house has been made extra open and accessible than ever for lovers of arts and tradition.”
Different open-air theatres embody a Japanese theatre that options bushes that develop up via the ground and help the roof, and a small theater in Nebraska that’s hidden behind a retractable faux storefront.
The images is by Adrien Williams.
Undertaking credit:
Structure: Lemay
Panorama structure: Lemay
Mechanical and electrical engineering: Bouthillette Parizeau
Structural engineering: Calculatec Inc.
Civil engineering: Marchand Houle
Acoustic specialist: Atelier 7Hz
Forestry engineering: Luc Nadeau
Scenography: Trizart Alliance
Laws: Technorm
Normal contractor: Axe Building
