Habitat 67: between urban planning and well-being

On the horizon of Bota Bota, an unusual silhouette proudly stands. Habitat 67 piques the curiosity of those who catch sight of it from afar—a ghost of the past, yet firmly rooted in the present.

Designed by architect Moshe Safdie for Expo 67, Habitat 67 doesn’t immediately appear self-evident to everyone. Safdie was not even 30 years old when the project came to life, and many struggled to grasp the ambitious vision of the Israeli-Canadian architect.

Habitat 67: an architectural feat

Having grown up in a kibbutz in Israel, Safdie was steeped in the values of sharing and community living. This vision would go on to shape his thesis project, Habitat 67—a place where all residents could come together and live collectively. In the original plans, housing coexisted with commercial spaces, schools, and even a hotel. A perfectly contained village within the city of Montreal, designed to address the challenges of high urban density.

Today, this architectural marvel consists of 365 prefabricated concrete modules, equivalent to 158 livable units, stacked over 12 stories. The original plan was far more ambitious. It initially called for three pyramid-shaped structures ranging from 20 to 30 stories. Due to budget constraints, the full vision of Habitat 67 was never realized.

Well-being, inside and out

The lifestyle offered by Habitat 67 is one of thoughtfully designed well-being. While some floors are accessible via elevators, others can only be reached by stairs. This layout encourages even the elderly to navigate the different levels with near-athletic effort.

The units feature large, floor-to-ceiling windows that provide unique views of the city, the St. Lawrence River, Bota Bota, and the surrounding landscape. This design choice has altered how residents arrange their furniture. Instead of lining it along the walls, they can choose to inhabit the space differently—leaving room to move from one window to another.

Each home is enhanced by a private terrace, where greenery and garden furniture further highlight the exceptional views Habitat 67 offers.

From myth to (virtual) reality

It’s easy to imagine Safdie’s ideal world among the shadows cast by sunlight in the communal areas. As birds begin to sing with the first warmth of spring, one can almost hear the echoes of children’s laughter—even in their absence.

While some lament that a visionary concept was stifled before it could fully bloom, others find solace in the Hillside Project by Neoscape. This immersive online environment perfectly recreates the envisioned world of Habitat 67, offering a glimpse into what Safdie’s complete dream might have been.

During your next visit to Bota Bota, take a moment to gaze at this distant silhouette—a marker of an era and a city.