Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

AGORA MAXIMUS, TACTICAL URBANISM PROJECT

LAAB Collective + Signature Design Communication

CLIENT
Sdc Quartier Latin, Partenariat Du Quartier Des Spectacles De Montréal

DESIGN TEAM
Michel Lauzon, Vincent Clarizio, Maëva Lonni, Frédérick Gagliolo, Adam Ghadi-delgado, Margot Greenbaum.

PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
Urban Design, Temporary & Events Installations, Street Furniture

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Montreal, Canada

CATEGORY
Public Space, Installations & Structures

Text description provided by architect.

Agora Maximus is an innovative pedestrianization project that pushes the boundaries of tactical urbanism by proposing highly durable, integrated, and heavily planted modular installation, combined with an instantly iconic signature inspired by Montreal’s Quartier Latin.

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

To achieve this ambitious agenda, the design team’s approach proposes an immersive and vibrant temporary streetscape installation, confirming the Quartier Latin’s legacy as the founding place of the city’s French institutions, as well as showcasing its vibrant festive culture and joie de vivre.

Drawing on this singular identity, the concept and storyline aim to playfully project the identity of mythical Saint-Denis Street, with its resolutely "Latin" character.

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

As such, the Agora Maximus is an inclusive urban form that celebrates the seasonal pedestrianization of St-Denis Street (2022-2024) with viewing platforms and vantage points to take in the animated streetscape and its offerings of living arts during the summer festivals.

Immersive and intriguing, it combines two landmarks of Latin culture: the Agora, a place for civic meetings, and the Circus Maximus, a linear amphitheater for live entertainment.

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

In this way, the concept pays homage to festivals, circuses, and experimental arts by transforming the urban space into a linear stage, with striking pixelated pop-up seating arrangements placed at intervals along the street.

Mainly located in front of the historic St-Sulpice Library in 2022, then along the whole street in 2023 and 2024, the modular platforms offer accessible open spaces for pedestrians to socialize and take in the scenery.

Their stepped profile evokes the main staircases of the cultural institutions of the Quartier Latin.

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

Informal and playful, they take the form of colorful mounds of "pixels" filled with greenery, enhancing the tree coverage of St-Denis Street.

The pixels' colorful swatches use GREY to integrate into heritage surroundings, WHITE to evoke modernity, and ORANGE to deliver a playful nod to roadwork visual codes.

The various platforms are linked by a continuous street-art graphic intervention made of pixel patterns along the whole length of the street, providing an ever-changing visual journey for pedestrians.

Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau

A paired strategy of visual/graphic dressing of key commercial windows along the street enhances the immersive stroll and urban experience between de Maisonneuve and Sherbrooke streets.


Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
© Raphaël Thibodeau


Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
Diagram 01
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
Diagram 02
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
Diagram 03
Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
Diagram 04


Agora Maximus, Tactical Urbanism Project
Axonometric