Habitat 67

Habitat 67

Habitat 67 is a residential complex located on the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada. Designed by renowned Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, its unique appearance has made it an iconic landmark of Montreal and one of the most unusual buildings in the world.

During his university years, Moshe Safdie designed what would become Habitat 67 as his graduation project, which received recognition and high praise at the time. After Montreal won the bid to host the 1967 World Expo, in response to the fair's theme of "Man and His World," the city decided to build a new type of residential community to showcase the economic, ecological, and environmental trends in modern urban housing. Safdie’s concept was ultimately selected, leading to the creation of Habitat 67. The design utilizes cube-shaped modules, with 354 beige-gray cubes arranged in a staggered formation to create 158 residential units. It is one of the few structures from the World Expo that still stands today and has garnered global attention and acclaim.

The design of Habitat 67 incorporates both the solidity of cubes and a complex, interlocking aesthetic form. It ensures that every unit has access to a garden and balcony while also addressing privacy and natural lighting. This showcases the future direction of human-centered and ecologically conscious residential development.

Habitat 67

Reason to visit: One of Canada’s most iconic buildings

Continent: North America 【North America】

Country/Region: Canada [Canada]

Province/State: Quebec [Québec]

City: Montreal [Montreal]