An urban park for the new National Bank headquarters
In order to enhance the future new National Bank headquarters, a new public park is created on the east side of the new 40-storey building, making its surroundings accessible and welcoming. The park’s design builds upon the language of Montreal’s historic Victorian squares. Its rectangular shape, symmetrical layout of crossing paths converging to the center and its large-scale tree planting define lawns and offer a pleasant mixture of shade and light.
The converging of the park’s pedestrian axes connects all the corners and enhances pedestrian circulation between Notre-Dame and Saint-Jacques streets. At the center, beneath a grove of trees, a grouping of small circular platforms in natural stone, of three different heights and sizes, creates an attractive gathering place. These pieces of urban furniture offer opportunities to sit, relax, and gather. Reflective kiosks located on both sides of the central square add to the uniqueness of the park’s heart. These kiosks also serve as emergency exits for the underground parking garage on which the park will be built.
Thirty-four new trees of native and resistant species are proposed. Generous volumes of soil will stimulate the growth of a healthy, tall, and leafy canopy cover while letting the necessary light through to the grassy areas below. In ten years, it is estimated that the canopy will already cover 60% of the park area.
