"Insectarium Metamorphosis" Takes First Place in Montréal's Space for Life Competition

Kuehn Malvezzi, Pelletier De Fontenay, Jodoin Lamarre Pratte, Dupras Ledoux, and Nicholet Chartrand Knoll (NCK) have won one of three first place positions in Montréal’s Space for Life International Architectural Competition, which seeks to reinvent mankind’s relationship with the natural world for the city’s 375th birthday, with their proposal for the redesign of the Montréal Insectarium. Titled Insectarium Metamorphosis, the project provides new spaces for visitors to get up close and personal with the multitude of insects housed in the museum.

Insectarium Metamorphosis Takes First Place in Montréal's Space for Life Competition - More Images

© Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay

As the competition prompt suggests, Insectarium Metamorphosis is designed to give a completely immersive experience in the world of entomology. The proposal incorporates incubating facilities and greenhouses that all have transparent openings, allowing visitors to observe the Insectarium’s inner workings. The exhibition space itself will make use of materials such as rammed earth, glass, and water features that enable patrons to get as close to the insects as possible. A new butterfly house will surround them in a recreation of the creatures’ natural habitat.

© Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay

This project is one of three architectural interventions chosen by the Space for Life competition. The two other selected proposals are for the Montréal Biodome, and the city’s Botanical Gardens. All three are set to be implemented by 2017.

  • Competition

    Space for Life International Architectural Competition
  • Award

    First Place
  • Project Name

    Insectarium Metamorphosis
  • Architects

  • Location

    Insectarium de Montréal, 4581 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, QC H1X 2B2, Canada
  • Design Architects

    Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay
  • Architect Of Record

    Jodoin Lamarre Pratte Architectes
  • Landscape Architects

    atelier le balto
  • Climate Engineers

    Transsolar
  • Structural Engineers

    NCK Inc
  • Scenography

    Kuehn Malvezzi
  • Museogrpahy

    Monique Laforge
  • Photographs

    Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay
  • Competition

    Space for Life International Architectural Competition
  • Award

    First Place
  • Project Name

    Insectarium Metamorphosis
  • Location

    Insectarium de Montréal, 4581 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, QC H1X 2B2, Canada
  • Photographs

    Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay

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Project location

Address:Insectarium de Montréal, 4581 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal, QC H1X 2B2, Canada

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

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Cite: Connor Walker. ""Insectarium Metamorphosis" Takes First Place in Montréal's Space for Life Competition" 28 Nov 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/573203/insectarium-metamorphosis-takes-first-place-in-montreal-s-space-for-life-competition> ISSN 0719-8884

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