Sunday, July 2, 2017

Moshe Safdie at UQAM's Centre de Design



For those interested in Habitat 67 and its architect Moshe Safdie, the current show at UQAM's Centre de Design is a must-see. It is one of many events staged as part of Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations.



The show includes a 25-minute filmed interview with a young Safdie, in which he outlines his philosophy of "humanist architecture." The intention of his design is to combine the best aspects of suburban living (gardens, proximity to nature, space for families and children to play) and the best aspects of urban living (density, access to a rich cultural life), while keeping in mind economies of scale.



We see his earliest projects, including some of his student work done while at McGill. Maquettes of ideas made while an undergraduate are on view, anticipating the design of Habitat 67.



The whole trajectory of his career can be appreciated with the inclusion of large models of projects, some realized, as in Singapore and China, others never built. The show demonstrates "how Safdie has consistently applied the design principles and ideologies he introduced as part of Habitat '67 to every project since that time."

Habitat '67 vers l'avenir / The Shape of Things to Come
June 1 - August 13, 2017, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 pm, free admission
UQAM Centre de Design, 1440 Sanguinet Street, Montreal

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