Esplanade Tranquille pavilion - Montreal

"I recently had the opportunity to visit the new Esplanade Tranquille pavilion in downtown Montreal. As an architect, I went first because I was curious to visit this new icon of the Quartier des spectacles; imagine, an outdoor skating rink in downtown Montreal! But what surprised me the most was the popularity of the place. On a very cold winter day, the place was packed... Was it the fact that you could enjoy an activity with family and friends, laugh and have fun, warm up and eat? No, because all of that is possible in any park pavilion. I felt a sense of well-being that goes beyond these aspects. The impressive windows offering a plunging view of the nearby skating rink, the feeling of being in the action inside, the abundant luminosity despite the grey winter sky, the warmth of the wood-lined ceiling, the cheerful flame of the fireplace, the comforting smell of coffee, the soothing greenery of the plants, not to mention the comfort of the many armchairs that invite you to linger... The feeling of being at the cottage in the heart of downtown Montreal! A memorable experience where you don't necessarily expect to find it...." (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.174). Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des spectacles, Montreal: exterior view of the square and the pavilion. Source: FABG Architects website. Photo credit: Not mentioned on the website Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Esplanade+Tranquille/@45.5095983,-73.5698266,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91a4e8805c227:0xb18dc87353d70f63!8m2!3d45.5095946!4d-73.5649557!16s%2Fg%2F11b77fzsny?authuser=0