The Biosphere, 1968
Flags of the city of Montreal flew in the foreground of the Biosphere.In 1968, the U.S. pavilion became the Biosphere.
The interior of the 20-storey geodesic dome built for Expo 67 was transformed into an giant parkland and aviary for Man and His World 68.
The basic structure that housed the U.S. display remained: the space frame shell covered with a "skin" of curved acrylic panels, the platforms at various levels reached by stairs and escalators, as well as the Minirail that ran right through the middle. A plaque inside the pavilion's entrance read:
The basic structure that housed the U.S. display remained: the space frame shell covered with a "skin" of curved acrylic panels, the platforms at various levels reached by stairs and escalators, as well as the Minirail that ran right through the middle. A plaque inside the pavilion's entrance read:
"This building, the United States pavilion at
Expo 67, is a gift of the American people to
the City of Montreal. It was presented by
Leonard H. Marks, Director of the U.S.
Information Agency, to Mr. Jean Drapeau,
Mayor of Montreal, on the 20th of July,
1967, as a symbol of warm friendship
between Canada and the United States."
the City of Montreal. It was presented by
Leonard H. Marks, Director of the U.S.
Information Agency, to Mr. Jean Drapeau,
Mayor of Montreal, on the 20th of July,
1967, as a symbol of warm friendship
between Canada and the United States."
The pavilion's platforms had been made into a series of gardens, promenades and lookouts. The Sun Garden was done in a Moorish style, while the Classic Garden had a french influence complete with trimmed shrubbery and distinguished fountains.
Birds of all sorts were featured in the Biosphere, including some tropical specimens. Birds of prey such as hawks, owls and eagles could be seen in the pavilion's upper level. A large lagoon near the main entrance featured game birds and water fowl. Near it, a majestic 50-foot elm was just one of the many trees placed throughout the Biosphere to serve as perches for its feathered inhabitants (in total some 600 birds of 150 species).
The pavilion's theatre showed 2 films from the National Film Board: one discussed the migration of wild geese while the other provided an intimate glimpse of wildlife in Quebec.
Multicolored fabric kites were suspended from the curved interior of the structure, in place of the space capsule parachutes that had been on display during Expo 67.
Birds of all sorts were featured in the Biosphere, including some tropical specimens. Birds of prey such as hawks, owls and eagles could be seen in the pavilion's upper level. A large lagoon near the main entrance featured game birds and water fowl. Near it, a majestic 50-foot elm was just one of the many trees placed throughout the Biosphere to serve as perches for its feathered inhabitants (in total some 600 birds of 150 species).
The pavilion's theatre showed 2 films from the National Film Board: one discussed the migration of wild geese while the other provided an intimate glimpse of wildlife in Quebec.
Multicolored fabric kites were suspended from the curved interior of the structure, in place of the space capsule parachutes that had been on display during Expo 67.
One of the Biosphere's formal gardens.
The longest escalator in the world took visitors to the summit of the Biosphere.
Flamingos were just one of many exotic breeds of birds on display.
Fountains added to the serene atmosphere of the Biosphere.
A Man and His World guide who made friends with a budgie.images: personal collection
Labels: Man and His World 68
posted by Jason Stockl @ 2:14 pm
5 Comments:
Say, any idea why the place burned in 1975?? It's quite sad to see that little has been done to get the pavillon in it's original shape.
je suis très très contente de voir ces photos de la biosphère 68 car j'ai gardé un souvenir très agréable de cette expo là aussi.
merci beaucoup.
Pluche: They were doing some welding work to the structure in 1976. The acrylic panels (highly flammable) caught fire. It only took 15-20 minutes for the entire "skin" to burn.
Elfie: Merci pour le commentaire. On m'a souvent dit que «Terre des hommes 68» était moins beau que l'expo 67. Je suis content d'entendre du positif a cet égard!
does anyone have a photo of the eagle and vulture cages, the giant walk through birdhouse or the monkey cage. I would appreciate a copy of someone does.
Who collected the insurance money for the fire and why did they not use that money to repair it to original. I can’t see how it is called a bio dome with no glass or plastic.
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