Réseau, Bringing streams back to the city
Réseau, Bringing streams back to the city
Inspired by the many rivers beneath the island of Montreal, RÉSEAU is an innovative urban stormwater management system designed to control and slow down rainfall while amplifying its sound as it flows through inner ducts. This collection of prefabricated concrete elements manages rainwater drainage while enhancing its visibility. By reintroducing the presence of water in the city, these urban slabs offer a clever solution for urban stormwater challenges.
Inspired by the many rivers beneath the island of Montreal, RÉSEAU is an innovative urban stormwater management system designed to control and slow down rainfall while amplifying its sound as it flows through inner ducts. This collection of prefabricated concrete elements manages rainwater drainage while enhancing its visibility. By reintroducing the presence of water in the city, these urban slabs offer a clever solution for urban stormwater challenges.
University project
University project
Graduation Project - University of Montreal
Graduation Project - University of Montreal
Deliverables
Deliverables
Research, Concept, development, renderings
Research, Concept, development, renderings
Year
Year
2019
2019
Discipline
Discipline
Urban design, Industrial design
Urban design, Industrial design
Starting point
The issue of climate change is increasingly making headlines, and in Montreal, its impact is felt in every season. Winter brings variable temperatures leading to frequent flooding, while summer presents extreme heat that endangers our community. This challenge stems from the city's evolution, where urbanization has covered 80% of the surface area with impermeable asphalt. Consequently, many natural streams have been buried, leaving little room for water to flow and drain. Our project aspires to enhance stormwater management by reconnecting with the city’s origins, which once flourished with rivers that deeply connected residents to their environment.
Starting point
Starting point
The issue of climate change is increasingly making headlines, and in Montreal, its impact is felt in every season. Winter brings variable temperatures leading to frequent flooding, while summer presents extreme heat that endangers our community. This challenge stems from the city's evolution, where urbanization has covered 80% of the surface area with impermeable asphalt. Consequently, many natural streams have been buried, leaving little room for water to flow and drain. Our project aspires to enhance stormwater management by reconnecting with the city’s origins, which once flourished with rivers that deeply connected residents to their environment.
The issue of climate change is increasingly making headlines, and in Montreal, its impact is felt in every season. Winter brings variable temperatures leading to frequent flooding, while summer presents extreme heat that endangers our community. This challenge stems from the city's evolution, where urbanization has covered 80% of the surface area with impermeable asphalt. Consequently, many natural streams have been buried, leaving little room for water to flow and drain. Our project aspires to enhance stormwater management by reconnecting with the city’s origins, which once flourished with rivers that deeply connected residents to their environment.
The rationale behind the creation of the design brief
The rationale behind the creation of the design brief
The inspiration
The inspiration
We built our concept around the history of Montreal and its streams. Many rivers were buried to accommodate the city’s expansion, which made Montreal a tight space. The consequences of this decision are numerous, both ecological and social.
We built our concept around the history of Montreal and its streams. Many rivers were buried to accommodate the city’s expansion, which made Montreal a tight space. The consequences of this decision are numerous, both ecological and social.
We built our concept around the history of Montreal and its streams. Many rivers were buried to accommodate the city’s expansion, which made Montreal a tight space. The consequences of this decision are numerous, both ecological and social.
We were also inspired by the contrast between irregular natural lines and those built by man, very mechanical. We can notably mention those produced by water erosion on the ground among the natural lines, thus creating irregular patterns.
We were also inspired by the contrast between irregular natural lines and those built by man, very mechanical. We can notably mention those produced by water erosion on the ground among the natural lines, thus creating irregular patterns.
We were also inspired by the contrast between irregular natural lines and those built by man, very mechanical. We can notably mention those produced by water erosion on the ground among the natural lines, thus creating irregular patterns.
Ideation
Ideation
We engaged in an extensive period of team brainstorming and reflection. During this time, we created numerous sketches to outline the system's design and developed 3D models to explore various configurations. We also produced mock-ups to examine texture and held multiple discussions with acoustic analysis professionals to validate our hypotheses.
We engaged in an extensive period of team brainstorming and reflection. During this time, we created numerous sketches to outline the system's design and developed 3D models to explore various configurations. We also produced mock-ups to examine texture and held multiple discussions with acoustic analysis professionals to validate our hypotheses.
We engaged in an extensive period of team brainstorming and reflection. During this time, we created numerous sketches to outline the system's design and developed 3D models to explore various configurations. We also produced mock-ups to examine texture and held multiple discussions with acoustic analysis professionals to validate our hypotheses.
The result
The result
By collecting rainwater (gutters + runoff), the drain integrated into the concrete slab acts as a soundbox and amplifies the noise of the water circulating inside. When passing near the drain, pedestrians may hear a noise approaching a natural stream during a downpour, but also at all times by continuously supplying water to the drain using water jets. Water in the drain creates an «inner stream» when there is a large volume. Rainwater percolates into the soil through the holes in the concrete and the drain.
By collecting rainwater (gutters + runoff), the drain integrated into the concrete slab acts as a soundbox and amplifies the noise of the water circulating inside. When passing near the drain, pedestrians may hear a noise approaching a natural stream during a downpour, but also at all times by continuously supplying water to the drain using water jets. Water in the drain creates an «inner stream» when there is a large volume. Rainwater percolates into the soil through the holes in the concrete and the drain.
By collecting rainwater (gutters + runoff), the drain integrated into the concrete slab acts as a soundbox and amplifies the noise of the water circulating inside. When passing near the drain, pedestrians may hear a noise approaching a natural stream during a downpour, but also at all times by continuously supplying water to the drain using water jets. Water in the drain creates an «inner stream» when there is a large volume. Rainwater percolates into the soil through the holes in the concrete and the drain.
