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Project 2: Housing:Project 2: Housing:Montreals Habitat
67Montreals Habitat 67
Nancy M. FriedlanderNancy M. FriedlanderENVS 634ENVS 634February
3, 2004February 3, 2004Green Design and the CityGreen Design and
the CityRichard Berman, PhDRichard Berman, PhD
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"originality in itself cannot "originality in itself cannot be
the criterion for be the criterion for
measuring excellence in measuring excellence in
architecture."architecture."
----moshe safdiemoshe safdie
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HistoryHistory
Canadian Government agreed to build his design Canadian
Government agreed to build his design at the 1967 Worlds Fair in
Montrealat the 1967 Worlds Fair in Montreal
Expo's Habitat '67 is among the strangest housing Expo's Habitat
'67 is among the strangest housing developments Montreal has ever
seen. Moshe developments Montreal has ever seen. Moshe Safdie's
creation Safdie's creation -- a foura four--block long row of 158
block long row of 158 prefabricated rectangular houses stacked
prefabricated rectangular houses stacked seemingly randomly in a
pyramid seemingly randomly in a pyramid -- is both highly is both
highly praised and harshly criticized by architects, praised and
harshly criticized by architects, planners and politicians.
planners and politicians.
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ConstructionConstruction The Canadian cement industry The
Canadian cement industry
suggested this innovative idea to the suggested this innovative
idea to the organizers of Expo 67, who called on a organizers of
Expo 67, who called on a young architect named Moshe Safdie, young
architect named Moshe Safdie, trained at McGill University. He in
turn trained at McGill University. He in turn worked with other
Montreal architects worked with other Montreal architects and
several engineering firms.and several engineering firms.
The building process began in 1965 and The building process
began in 1965 and was completed in 1967. The final result was
completed in 1967. The final result was an indisputable
architectural and was an indisputable architectural and engineering
tour de force, one that engineering tour de force, one that enjoys
worldwide recognition. Habitat enjoys worldwide recognition.
Habitat '67 consists of a complex assembly of '67 consists of a
complex assembly of prefabricated concrete blocks, prefabricated
concrete blocks, assembled on site. All in all, 354 boxes assembled
on site. All in all, 354 boxes of different shapes make up 158 of
different shapes make up 158 dwellings. Walkways on the 6th and
dwellings. Walkways on the 6th and 10th floors, with visible
elevators, also 10th floors, with visible elevators, also play a
structural role.play a structural role.
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The project was marked from the very beginning The project was
marked from the very beginning by a strong desire to by a strong
desire to innovateinnovate, in both the , in both the approach to
construction and the approach to approach to construction and the
approach to living. Habitat '67, to use Le Corbusier's living.
Habitat '67, to use Le Corbusier's expression, is a unique "machine
for living in." expression, is a unique "machine for living in."
Indeed, the project very quickly became a Indeed, the project very
quickly became a symbolsymbol of modern architecture. Its concrete
of modern architecture. Its concrete boxes, resembling containers,
and its location in boxes, resembling containers, and its location
in the port across from the historic city centre and the port
across from the historic city centre and the new downtown, show how
a city that has the new downtown, show how a city that has always
been so closely connected to its river has always been so closely
connected to its river has contributed to modernism.contributed to
modernism.
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Expo 67Expo 67
Habitat's apartments were made from 354 boxes Habitat's
apartments were made from 354 boxes or "modules". Apartments were
built from or "modules". Apartments were built from between one and
eight boxes, depending on the between one and eight boxes,
depending on the size. The original plans called for 1,000 units.
size. The original plans called for 1,000 units.
Safdie was commissioned to design other Safdie was commissioned
to design other Habitats around the world: New York (1967),
Habitats around the world: New York (1967), Puerto Rico (1968),
Israel (1969), Rochester Puerto Rico (1968), Israel (1969),
Rochester (1971) and Tehran (1976). None was ever (1971) and Tehran
(1976). None was ever completed.completed.
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Across from the old port, in the waters of Across from the old
port, in the waters of the St.the St. Lawrence, on the Cit du Havre
pier, Lawrence, on the Cit du Havre pier, stands an exceptional
modern architectural stands an exceptional modern architectural
complex.complex.
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The Port of Saint LawrenceThe Port of Saint Lawrence
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FactsFacts
Originally designed to be a city, not a Originally designed to
be a city, not a complex.complex.
Experimental apartment complex.Experimental apartment
complex.158 unit community comprises 354 158 unit community
comprises 354
prefabricated concrete boxes stacked in a prefabricated concrete
boxes stacked in a staggered pattern: a Modern version of an
staggered pattern: a Modern version of an Italian Hill town.Italian
Hill town.
Habitat is the only Expo 67 building still Habitat is the only
Expo 67 building still being used for its original purpose.being
used for its original purpose.
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For each home, the design incorporates a For each home, the
design incorporates a garden located atop the roof of the unit
garden located atop the roof of the unit below.below.
Covered walkways weave throughout the Covered walkways weave
throughout the project and contribute to the sense of project and
contribute to the sense of community, which was one of Safdie's
community, which was one of Safdie's primary goals. primary
goals.
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About the ArchitectAbout the Architect
Moshe Safdie.Moshe Safdie.Born in Haifa, Israel in 1938.Born in
Haifa, Israel in 1938.Trained at McGill University in Montreal from
Trained at McGill University in Montreal from
1955 until 1961.1955 until 1961.After working two years in the
office of After working two years in the office of
Louis I. Kahn, he started his own practice in Louis I. Kahn, he
started his own practice in Montreal. Montreal.
Designed Habitat at age 25 for his Graduate Designed Habitat at
age 25 for his Graduate Thesis Project.Thesis Project.
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About the Architect contAbout the Architect cont
Later, he moved to the U.S. where he established an Later, he
moved to the U.S. where he established an practice and taught at
Harvard. practice and taught at Harvard.
Influenced by his graduate thesis, Safdie refined a series of
Influenced by his graduate thesis, Safdie refined a series of
"Habitat" designs which revolved around a cellular housing
"Habitat" designs which revolved around a cellular housing scheme.
scheme.
Initially his ideas proved expensive and difficult to Initially
his ideas proved expensive and difficult to construct, but Safdie
introduced the cellular scheme in construct, but Safdie introduced
the cellular scheme in several areas including New York and Puerto
Rico where several areas including New York and Puerto Rico where
his ideas were successfully initiated. his ideas were successfully
initiated.
His Israeli period also produced a number of impressive His
Israeli period also produced a number of impressive urban insertion
projects and various townurban insertion projects and various
town--planning planning schemes. schemes.
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Other HabitatsOther Habitats
NYCNYCPuerto RicoPuerto Rico
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CommentaryCommentary "Safdie's dwelling complex "Safdie's
dwelling complex
'Habitat' was designed to give 'Habitat' was designed to give
'privacy, fresh air, sunlight and 'privacy, fresh air, sunlight and
suburban amenities in an urban suburban amenities in an urban
location.' It was designed as a location.' It was designed as a
permanent settlement and permanent settlement and consists of 158
dwellings, consists of 158 dwellings, although originally it was
although originally it was intended to provide 1,000 units.
intended to provide 1,000 units. The resulting ziggurat was made
The resulting ziggurat was made up of independent prefabricated up
of independent prefabricated boxes with fifteen different plan
boxes with fifteen different plan types." types."
Dennis Sharp. Twentieth Century Dennis Sharp. Twentieth Century
Architecture: a Visual History. Architecture: a Visual History.
p281.p281.
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"Of the 900 apartments planned "Of the 900 apartments planned
for this gigantic building block, for this gigantic building block,
158 were completed. 354 158 were completed. 354 prefabricated
individual prefabricated individual containers are stacked in a
containers are stacked in a confused order and connected confused
order and connected by steel cables. Projections and by steel
cables. Projections and recesses are organized in such a recesses
are organized in such a way that each apartment has a way that each
apartment has a balcony on the roof of the balcony on the roof of
the apartment immediately below." apartment immediately below."
Peter Gossel and Gabriele Peter Gossel and Gabriele Leuthauser.
Architecture in the Leuthauser. Architecture in the Twentieth
Century. p265.Twentieth Century. p265.
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"This extraordinary housing "This extraordinary housing
development comprising 158 units development comprising 158 units
of from one to four bedrooms, with of from one to four bedrooms,
with many small gardens and decks, was many small gardens and
decks, was planned as a prototype for a system planned as a
prototype for a system that would streamline the building that
would streamline the building process and cut costs. It was process
and cut costs. It was assembled from 354 reinforcedassembled from
354 reinforced--concrete building modules, concrete building
modules, ingeniously stacked so as to give ingeniously stacked so
as to give privacy and views to each unit. privacy and views to
each unit. Unfortunately, construction costs Unfortunately,
construction costs proved to be prohibitive." proved to be
prohibitive."
from Sylvia Hart Wright. Sourcebook from Sylvia Hart Wright.
Sourcebook of Contemporary North American of Contemporary North
American Architecture: From Postwar to Architecture: From Postwar
to Postmodern. p118.Postmodern. p118.
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"Habitat is a model community "Habitat is a model community
constructed along the St. Lawrence constructed along the St.
Lawrence River in Montreal, composed of 354 River in Montreal,
composed of 354 prefabricated modules which combineto prefabricated
modules which combineto form a threeform a three--dimensional space
dimensional space structure. The modules, or 'boxes' as structure.
The modules, or 'boxes' as they are known, are connected in they
are known, are connected in varying combinations to create varying
combinations to create 158residences ranging from 600 ft2 to
158residences ranging from 600 ft2 to 1,700 ft2. Pedestrian streets
serve as 1,700 ft2. Pedestrian streets serve as horizontal
circulation throughout the horizontal circulation throughout the
entire complex. Habitat '67 wasthe entire complex. Habitat '67
wasthe realisation of Moshe Safdie's thesis titled realisation of
Moshe Safdie's thesis titled "A Case for City Living, A Study of
Three "A Case for City Living, A Study of Three Urban High Density
Housing Systems for Urban High Density Housing Systems for
CommunityDevelopment" and was also CommunityDevelopment" and was
also the major theme exhibition of the 1967 the major theme
exhibition of the 1967 Montreal World Exposition. " Montreal World
Exposition. "
from the Moshe Safdie Archives at McGill from the Moshe Safdie
Archives at McGill University, Montreal.University, Montreal.
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ReferencesReferences Residential Architect. Meghan Drueding.
2002 . The box rebellResidential Architect. Meghan Drueding. 2002 .
The box rebellion: Habitat ion: Habitat
67, Montreal. The Gale Group, Inc.67, Montreal. The Gale Group,
Inc. Moshe Safdie Peabody Essex AdditionMoshe Safdie Peabody Essex
Addition", by Michael Crosbie, Architecture Week ", by Michael
Crosbie, Architecture Week
No. 159, 2003.0820, pD1.1. No. 159, 2003.0820, pD1.1. ""Moshe
Safdie in IsraelMoshe Safdie in Israel", by Lili Eylon,
Architecture Week No. 113, 2002.0904, ", by Lili Eylon,
Architecture Week No. 113, 2002.0904,
pC1.1. pC1.1. Moshe Safdie (Editor), Irena Zantovska Murray
(Editor). Moshe SaMoshe Safdie (Editor), Irena Zantovska Murray
(Editor). Moshe Safdie : fdie :
Buildings and Projects, 1967Buildings and Projects, 1967--1992.
Montreal: McGill Queens University Press, 1992. Montreal: McGill
Queens University Press, May 1996. Inventory (on CDMay 1996.
Inventory (on CD--ROM) by Laura E. Dent and Percy Johnson. ISBN
ROM) by Laura E. Dent and Percy Johnson. ISBN
00--77357735--15101510--0. 0. Book and CDBook and CD--ROM combo,
produced by the Moshe Safdie ROM combo, produced by the Moshe
Safdie archives.archives.
Moshe Safdie. Beyond Habitat. ASIN 0Moshe Safdie. Beyond
Habitat. ASIN 0--00210021--15801580--8. 8. Moshe Safdie. Form and
Purpose. ASIN 0Moshe Safdie. Form and Purpose. ASIN
0--39533953--16631663--4. 4. Dennis Sharp. The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of Architects and ArcDennis Sharp. The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New hitecture. New
York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0York: Quatro Publishing,
1991. ISBN 0--82308230--25392539--X. NA40.I45. p133. X. NA40.I45.
p133.
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References, ContinuedReferences, Continued Muriel Emanuel, ed.
Contemporary Architects. New York: St. MartiMuriel Emanuel, ed.
Contemporary Architects. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1980. ISBN
0n's Press, 1980. ISBN 0--312312--1663516635--
4. p701. 4. p701. Kenneth Frampton and Futagawa Yukio. Modern
Architecture in ColoKenneth Frampton and Futagawa Yukio. Modern
Architecture in Color. New York: The Viking Press, r. New York: The
Viking Press,
1971. color photo of exterior, p493, plate 107. 1971. color
photo of exterior, p493, plate 107. Photo courtesy of Graetz.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.078. Photo courtesy of Graetz.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.078. Photo courtesy of Timothy Hursley.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.090. Photo courtesy of Timothy Hursley.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.090. Johnson Architectural Images. Copyrighted
slides in the Johnson Architectural Images. Copyrighted slides in
the Artifice CollectionArtifice Collection. . Udo Kultermann.
Architecture in the 20th Century. New York: Van Udo Kultermann.
Architecture in the 20th Century. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
1993. ISBN 0Nostrand Reinhold, 1993. ISBN 0--
442442--0094200942--9. LC 929. LC 92--26734. NA680.K7913 1993.
exterior aerial photo of rear of buildi26734. NA680.K7913 1993.
exterior aerial photo of rear of building, f138, p129. ng, f138,
p129. Lawrence A. Martin, University of Oregon. Slide from
photographeLawrence A. Martin, University of Oregon. Slide from
photographer's collection, September 1993. r's collection,
September 1993.
PCD.3235.1012.0545.008. PCD.3235.1012.0545.009.
PCD.3235.1012.05PCD.3235.1012.0545.008. PCD.3235.1012.0545.009.
PCD.3235.1012.0545.010. 45.010. PCD.3235.1012.0545.015.
PCD.3235.1012.0545.015.
Photos courtesy of MSA. PCD.2286.1012.0904.082.
PCD.2286.1012.09Photos courtesy of MSA. PCD.2286.1012.0904.082.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.083. 04.083. PCD.2286.1012.0904.080.
PCD.2286.1012.0904.080.
Leland M. Roth. A Concise History of American Architecture. New
Leland M. Roth. A Concise History of American Architecture. New
York: Harper and Row, Publishers, York: Harper and Row, Publishers,
1979. ISBN 01979. ISBN 0--0606--430086430086--2. NA705.R67 1979.
discussion, p3272. NA705.R67 1979. discussion, p327--328, exterior
photo from distance, 328, exterior photo from distance, f282, p327.
f282, p327.
Moshe Safdie. For Everyone a Garden. Cambridge, MA: The MIT
PresMoshe Safdie. For Everyone a Garden. Cambridge, MA: The MIT
Press, 1974. plaza level plan, p66. s, 1974. plaza level plan, p66.
section, p68. plan of one bedroom unit with terrace, p74. plan
osection, p68. plan of one bedroom unit with terrace, p74. plan of
three or four bedroom unit, p75. f three or four bedroom unit, p75.
exploded axonometric, p75. exploded axonometric, p75.
Kevin Matthews. Kevin Matthews. The Great Buildings
CollectionThe Great Buildings Collection on CDon CD--ROM. Artifice,
2001. ISBN 0ROM. Artifice, 2001. ISBN 0--96670989667098--44--5.5.
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDCChttp://archives.cbc.ca/IDCC--11--6969--100100--543/life_society/expo_67/543/life_society/expo_67/
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Habitat TodayHabitat Today
Some units have been Some units have been remodeled to combine
remodeled to combine neighboring neighboring apartments; 150
apartments; 150 households now call households now call the complex
home. the complex home.
2002 marked the 35th 2002 marked the 35th anniversary of
Safdie's anniversary of Safdie's achievement. achievement.
Project 2: Housing:Montreals Habitat 67"originality in itself
cannot be the criterion for measuring excellence in
architecture."HistoryConstructionExpo 67FactsAbout the
ArchitectAbout the Architect contOther
HabitatsCommentaryReferencesReferences, ContinuedHabitat Today