Montreal Bus Shelter
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At a glance
- Project by: Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner
- Location: Montreal, Canada
Preview image
© Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner
Project images
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Sketch of initial idea © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Standard configuration of bus shelter with dynamic display and extended roof © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Basic configuration © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Standard configuration, solar powered, with front-back open access © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Graphic treatment on glass panel using new STM identity colors © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Solar powered bus shelter (night scene) using LED lighting, variation on graphic treatment on glass panel © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Configuration with extension module, ‘discrete version’ in front of historic patrimony without advertising panel © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Graphic treatment on glass panels, emphasizing tourist attraction © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Proposed configuration for residential areas, insertion of a panel for local communication © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Modularity, triple configuration, alternative graphic treatment showing bus numbers © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
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Alternative triple configuration with graphic variation © Leblanc + Turcotte + Spooner View project image |
Architect's statement
In January 2010, the Montreal’s Mayor unveiled this winning design of a bus shelter that shall gradually replace the existing ones. The concept and design discourse have convinced the jury who appreciated its “modularity and potential for integration”. (jury co-chairs Denise Vaillencout, Executive Director, Planning, Marketing and Communications, STM, and Gilles Saucier, architect from the Saucier + Perrotte firm)
Inspired by the newly introduced STM’s brand signature “Mouvement collectif”, the designers create a dynamic architecture which easily integrates Montreal’s eclectic urban landscape without competing with the with the architectural patrimony. The proposed design is modern and discreet with just enough character to be noticeable from a distance. A graphic treatment on glass panels can temporarily animate streets, for example during Montreal’s summer festival season, personalize neighbourhoods, or emphasize tourist attractions. The designers not only studied existing problems such as vandalism, misuse, maintenance in extreme climate conditions, they also observed user behaviour. Their studies showed that a bus shelter has to serve different purposes. For the STM (Montreal’s Transport Society) it needs to signal their corporate identity and advertize the services. For transit users it needs to be firstly, a sign that allows to locate the bus stop, secondly it needs to shelters from extreme weather, and thirdly it needs to provide relevant information for travelers and tourists. For bus drivers, the shelter becomes a reference point, indicating where to stop and where to locate waiting passengers.
This new and more secure bus shelter is modular and adaptable to different space configurations. The backlit communication column imposes itself like a beacon and marks the bus stop. The side-wise sloping roof line symbolizes the movement. The extended configuration can link several units to each other, thus creating a dynamic silhouette. In order to improve the experience for transit users the STM plans to introduced features such as dynamic display, time tables, LED lighting and backlit bus identification panels. Some of the shelters will be solar energy powered. The materials for this bus shelter have been carefully selected in order to resist extreme climate conditions and abuse.
