Art Meets Nature in the Museum’s Newly Landscaped Gardens

Entirely redesigned in collaboration with the Jardin botanique, one of the five Espace pour la vie museums, and conceived by NIPPAYSAGE, these green spaces now boast over 8,000 plants and actively contribute to enriching biodiversity and promoting pollination in the urban environment. They also serve to show off the Museum’s remarkable public art collection, which includes some twenty sculptures by renowned artists. Michèle Meier, Director of Communications, Marketing and Visitor Experience at the MMFA, takes us behind the scenes of this large-scale project.

Can you tell us a little about the origins of this project to green the Museum’s outdoor spaces?

The original idea was to create a showcase for the Jardin botanique in the heart of downtown Montreal. We thought, why not bring our two institutions closer together by connecting the city’s east and west ends? In addition, the Museum really wanted to do something concrete to preserve the surrounding natural environment and contribute to the protection of biodiversity in both a museum and urban context.

What was the main motivation behind this project?

Environmental initiatives and the promotion of biodiversity are especially important to the MMFA. In fact, the greening of our outdoor spaces was identified as one of the priority actions in our Sustainable Development Plan, with a view to actively contributing to Goal 13 (measures to combat climate change) of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We also wanted to reaffirm our strong attachment to the Montreal community by helping to make the downtown area more attractive. By combining art and nature, the revitalization of the Museum’s gardens allows us to offer our visitors a richer experience.

The greening of these spaces was also one of the special projects targeted by our 2023-2028 Major Fundraising Campaign, The Museum Transforms Lives. Our special thanks go to Jess and Marc Pathy for their generous gift of $1.2 million. Jess Pathy sits on the Museum’s Board of Trustees and is an active supporter of the institution’s mission. The Pathys’ substantial contribution was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. We also benefited from the support of major partners such as the Godin Family Foundation and the Max and Iris Stern Estate. Not to mention Tourisme Montréal, the Borough of Ville-Marie and the Fondation Marc Bourgie, as well as the many donors whose generosity is a wonderful example of the strong support of our community and of the philanthropic commitment of Montrealers.

What were the main steps in the implementation of this project?

We wanted to work with specialists in the protection of biodiversity and the environment, so we started by setting up a partnership agreement with Espace pour la vie. A selection committee made up of MMFA staff and Jardin botanique representatives then recruited the landscape architecture firm NIPPAYSAGE to develop the design concept for all the Museum’s outdoor spaces. Throughout the project, we worked closely together, drawing on the valuable expertise that each party brought to the table.

Can you tell us a bit more about the concept behind the redesign of the green spaces?

NIPPAYSAGE’s concept was inspired by the unique location of the Museum complex, which stretches from the foot of Mount Royal to De Maisonneuve Boulevard, and is intersected by Sherbrooke Street West. It reflects the idea of progression, of moving from the street to the mountain, by evoking the horticultural gardens on Sherbrooke and the forest of Mount Royal. Between its southern and northern borders, the landscaping gradually transitions from species typical of the horticultural gardens seen in the Golden Square Mile, such as tulips and purple coneflowers, to species found in the forested ecosystem of Mount Royal, such as sensitive ferns and heartleaf foamflowers.

Our project also aligns with the themes “Biodiversity Garden” and “Monarch Oasis” that are part of the My Space for Life Garden program.

What plant species were chosen?

To maximize biodiversity and create a favourable environment for pollinators, small animals and birds, we used a wide variety of plants adapted to the conditions of each site, including native and local species. The flowerbeds bordering the Museum and the curb extensions in the Ville-Marie Borough are now home to over 8,000 plants that are adapted to our climate! This diverse flora includes over 45 indigenous species that will attract pollinators. What’s more, the urban canopy has been bolstered by the addition of three tall shrubs – a nannyberry, a downy serviceberry and an alternate-leaved dogwood.

What are some of the challenges you faced?

The gardens border seven sites, each of which has its own particularities, both in terms of architecture and outdoor conditions. For example, some areas receive limited sunlight, which can hamper plant growth. In other places, the soil isn’t very deep, which can restrict rooting. So in choosing the plants, we had to take these constraints into consideration. We also noticed a low volume of run-off water in the gardens, which are also exposed to challenging urban conditions such as de-icing salt, high winds, high heat, and so on. Finally, we had to design the plant beds in such a way as to avoid obstructing the view of visitors or blocking access to the sculptures, especially considering the periodic rotation of the works.

Are there any awareness-raising or community involvement initiatives planned as part of this project?

Absolutely. The opportunity was too good to pass up! In particular, we’re working with Espace pour la vie to create an educational circuit through the gardens, combining art and nature. The aim is to raise visitors’ awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to help them learn about the wide variety of plant species present. What’s more, the gardens are certified as a My Space for Life Garden, which will allow us to promote concrete actions to preserve biodiversity and attract a variety of pollinators.

We also hope that our entire community, starting with our staff, our visitors and our neighbours, will appreciate this new green oasis and enjoy it on a daily basis. We want our gardens to inspire other organizations to green their spaces as well, in order to make a positive contribution to Montreal’s urban biodiversity.

How do you see the project evolving over time? What are your hopes for its future and its impact on our downtown and community?

In our wildest dreams, we envision a second phase that would involve installing a green space on the roof of the Liliane and David M. Stewart Pavilion, creating a magnificent terrace with a breathtaking view of the city and the mountain. Another idea we’re toying with is that now that we’ve brought a bit of the Jardin botanique downtown, why not bring a bit of the Museum to the Jardin botanique? We could imagine an exhibition of sculptures in the magnificent gardens of Espace pour la vie, for example. There’s certainly no shortage of ideas, and we can’t wait to explore all the possibilities.