Claude Cormier

Claude Cormier was a Canadian landscape architect who created curious designs some of which I love others which I disfavour.

Cormier's 18 Shades of Gay made from 180,000 recycled plastic balls.

In my opinion I find this design exciting. The addition of the rainbow balls creates a flamboyant corridor of colour, influencing our mental state as we pass through it. The transparency of the display enables the sky to still be seen through each piece of the canopy; enclosing the space without making you feel trapped or enclosed. When walking through every colour can slightly be seen creating movement, uplifting moods and radiating positivity. 

Located on Montreal's Gay Village, Quebec, the display is surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants along Sainte-Catherine's Street, this space provides hours of entertainment. The rainbow balls convey fun and excitement, effective during the day and at night, the design also offers year-round interest.

For these reasons I really enjoy this design. I believe it's incredibly effective and entertaining. 

    Photographs courtesy of: JF Savaria, Raphael Thibodeau, Jean-Michel Seminaro

Cormier's Love Park, Toronto.

Although recently completed in June 2023,  my opinion this design is boring. The space measuring 2 acres the site has the potential to be a beautiful slither of retreat from the towering skyscrapers and the busy urban surroundings, however this design is dull. 

Viewed from above it has more to offer visually, however at ground level the heart-shape is not striking nor powerful. The still water is non interactive and as result I personally ignore the fact it's filled with water altogether. Designed to look like it is floating, however I cannot see this.

I am however fond of the wide pathways to allow flexibility, to include stalls and events.

Perhaps once the trees have come more established the site will have more to offer but for the time being this isn't the perfect design for me!

Photograph courtesy of Dustin William