Imagine living in a structure that looks like a series of stacked blocks. That is Habitat ’67. It stands as a revolutionary urban housing complex right here in Montreal.
Habitat ’67 started as a master’s thesis. Moshe Safdie was only 24 then. He later saw his vision realized for Expo 67. The location is Cité du Havre. It is a man-made peninsula. Some of the material came from the Montreal metro excavation.
Housing was a key theme at Expo 67. Safdie aimed to redefine urban living. He wanted to create something different from the typical apartment building. Habitat ’67 is a 12-story complex. It comprises 354 grey-beige modules. These modules are arranged in a pyramidal shape. This forms 148 residences. Originally there were 158.
Kathleen Bouvier is a Habitat 67 tour guide. She explains that Safdie envisioned Habitat as a model community. His early life on a kibbutz influenced this vision. There were 15 model residences. These varied in size. They had between one and four modules each. Each residence had panoramic views. They offered views of Montreal on three sides. Each also had landscaped terraces.
The concrete modules were prefabricated on-site. Cranes delivered them. These modules included pre-assembled kitchens. They also had prefabricated fiberglass washrooms. This simplified the assembly process. Habitat ’67 also featured central heating. It had air conditioning and advanced wiring.
Bouvier notes that Habitat ’67 was like a prototype. It was housing of the future as imagined in 1967. It was truly pioneering. With its minimalist design Habitat ’67 remains a gigantic sculpture. It features futuristic interiors and pedestrian streets. You can see suspended terraces and skylights. There are large esplanades and monumental elevator pillars.
In 2017 Safdie remarked that each apartment is like a house. It includes a garden open to the sky and access by streets. It offers city living with a house-like feel. Today Habitat ’67 is a prestigious complex. It employs around 40 staff. These include security guards, horticulturists, plumbers and electricians.
Habitat ’67 is a designated historical monument. Canada Post even featured it on a stamp in 2017. After Expo 67 Safdie proposed similar projects. These included Habitat Puerto Rico and Habitat New York. However modular and pre-fab designs did not become widely adopted.
Bouvier says that Habitat ’67 stands as an example. It shows the benefits of integrating quality of life and community into architecture. Habitat 67 offers 90-minute walking tours. These tours are popular with tourists and architects. The tours include a visit inside Safdie’s four-module penthouse.
Habitat ’67 offers stunning views. Its terraces showcase the city lights. You can also see bridges. Hear the gentle sound of the river.
Each residence has views on three sides. Every apartment has its own terraces. These range from 225 to 1000 square feet.
The complex includes a range of amenities. There is a security service. You can find gardens maintained by horticulturists. There are also tennis courts.
Habitat ’67 has an interesting ownership structure. When purchasing you become a Special Partner of a Limited Partnership. This gives you shares and votes.
Moshe Safdie’s vision brought this unique structure to life. Habitat ’67 remains an architectural landmark. It continues to inspire and intrigue people from all over the world.