4th ideation competition for the next generation of planners

Background of the Charrette

For several years now, Héritage Montréal has been actively involved in discussions about the future of Bridge-Bonaventure, particularly through public consultations regarding its redevelopment. This new edition is part of that process, inviting the next generation of designers to envision projects that are sensitive to the area’s heritage and realities.

As in previous editions, the design workshop focuses on vacant or underutilized industrial sites. What makes this year’s edition unique is that the targeted site is located in a neighborhood where three arts and crafts organizations—Forges de Montréal, Espace Verre, and Juget-Sinclair—are already firmly established. The challenge is to design a development that anchors and expands the presence of these artisans by creating a true “Quartier des métiers d’art” (Arts and Crafts District). The goal is to preserve and support productive and manufacturing activity in the heart of the city, bucking the general trend of deindustrialization.

Participants are thus called upon to highlight the area’s rich industrial and landscape heritage, explore its potential as a hub for creation and production, and propose innovative visions rooted in the existing context.

Details

Official launch: September 9, 2026.

Following the site visit on September 9, the participant kit will be made available online. Registered participants will find, among other things, the contest rules, floor plans of the buildings and their surroundings, a brief history of the sites, and the template to complete (two images to be produced, accompanied by a short text) for submission.

We invite interested individuals to

fill out the form by September 9 at 4:00 p.m. to be notified of the launch and to receive the participant
mark your calendar on September 9 for a site visit (optional)

The Spirit of the Charrette

Héritage Montréal’s “Charrette” aims to highlight a vulnerable heritage site and propose redevelopment scenarios that adhere to the principles of excellence put forward by Héritage Montréal. This is a multidisciplinary ideation exercise with respect for heritage as its only constraint.

Prize

All submitted projects will be published on the Héritage Montréal blog and shared with a network of partners.
The winning teams will also receive a prize and enjoy greater visibility.
1st prize: $400
2nd prize: $300
People's Choice Award: $200

Key Dates to Remember

September 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.: registration deadline
September 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.: site tour (optional)
September 9, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.: The participant's kit will be made available online.
September 20, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.: Deadline for submitting proposals
Late September: Public voting and jury deliberation
Early October: Public awards ceremony

Team Composition

A group of one to three people, consisting of students and young professionals (with up to five years of experience) in architecture, heritage, planning, landscape architecture, urban planning, and other related fields (e.g., history, sociology, art history, engineering).

A look back to our 2024 Charrette Linkedin Event

Event - 9 septembre 18h - Visite du site (optionnelle)

Beau temps, mauvais temps. Animation : Catherine Charron, CMAQ. Point de départ : Coin des rues Saint-Jacques et Square-Victoria (sud-est).

More details

Partners

Conseil des métiers d’arts du Québec – CMAQ

Kollectif

The competition is open to students and young professionals (with up to 5 years of experience) in architecture, heritage preservation, planning, landscape architecture, urban planning, and other related fields.

Héritage Montréal’s Next Generation Committee is proud to launch the fourth edition of its ideation competition, “Shaping the Future of Making: Building a Neighbourhood Around Fine Craft and Artisan Trades”, this year focusing on the Bridge-Bonaventure industrial sector in Montréal’s Sud-Ouest borough.

Organized in collaboration with the Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec (CMAQ), the charrette explores the proposed Quartier des métiers d’art: a creative and productive hub that remains entirely to be imagined.