Of all the 2017 anniversaries ? Canada at 150, Montreal at 375, Expo ?67 at 50 ? one building is common to these occasions for civic pride. The artful stacks of pre-fabricated concrete capsules along Montreal?s waterfront have gripped our collective architectural imagination since they first became an instant icon five decades ago. But why"
For many, Habitat 67 captures a moment of confidence when Montreal met the eyes of the world with a vision for a new way of living in cities. The radical government-sponsored experiment by a young and then-inexperienced Moshe Safdie, continues to serve as a multi-unit housing complex today.
Moshie Safdie during construction in 1966
It embodies the optimism of the 1960s and entrenches our belief in architecture as a wellspring of innovation. Yet for others, Habitat 67 is a reminder of failed dreams. From the beginning, its overblown budget challenged the promise of economies in its prefabrication. And Montreal?s harsh winters have rendered its concrete façades shappy-looking up close, and in need of constant maintenance. Habitat 67 was designed as a prototype, yet the absence of other iterations in its wake makes its success at best questionable. Perhaps it owes its longevity both on the ground and in the public?s imagination to this paradox, and its 50th anniversary affords us another opportunity to rethink its legacy. Over much of the year, exhibitions around the city have paid tribute to this grand experiment in urban housing. Ha...