This historic monument sites in Montreal, Quebec, Canada is a very popular research subject, the beauty of this architecture fascinated me since the first step I made onsite, within the plain technical description I read humanistic perspective in its successful delivery.

1. By Anne Lamb
A Historic Monument that Built in 10 Months
- Habitat 67

2. Uniqueness
No contour line or curve visible in
the structure except mechinal and
electrical shaft
Name: Habitat 67
City/Country: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Built in: 1967 for Expo 67 in Montreal
Type:
Prefabricated Housing Modules by
Reinforced Concrete
Dimensions:
Length - 4 city blocks
Width - 300 feet
Height -120 feet
Photo courtesy: Safdie
Architects

3. Characters
Pyramidal in shape, consists of 3
clusters of rectangular concrete
modules
Architectural Design:
● 13 levels in height
● 10 levels of apartments with
underground parking and building
services
Module Measures:
● 38’6” x 17’ 6” x 10’
Module Number in Total:
● 354 pre-casted concrete boxes
Residence unit number:
Official 157 Unofficial 146 as of 2011
Size: 22,160 sq. m. (230,000 sq.ft)
Side view of Habitat 67. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects Jerry Spearman

4. Background
Materialization of Moshe Safdie’s
1961 thesis (McGill University).
A housing exhibit within 1967 World
Exhibition (Expo 67) in Montreal, Quebec,
Canada about a cellular, three-dimensional
modular housing system.
Safdie’s architectural design was inspired by:
Indian’s adobes pueblos in the cliff of Grand
Canyon, a small town sited on a hill with
walkways and stairs interconnecting each
housing unit as a unit in Taxco, and Haifa
(Israel) community spirit that nurtured
Safide’s childhood.
Sketch of Habity 67. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects

5. Building Cost
CAD $17 millions, $0 to begin with.
There was not even a budget for a feasibility
study, the study’s funding of $200,000 was a
donation from Canadian cement companies
involved in Expo 67.
In December 1963, foreseen that the
housing exhibit in Expo 67 would advance
Canadian architecture trend 15-20 years
ahead, Central Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, a federal agency in Ottawa,
eventually backed the proposition.
Moshe Safdie with Expo Chief architect Edovard Fiset. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects

6. Becoming Official
On December 20, 1963, Habitat 67 as the
housing exhibit eventually becoming official
in the master plan of Expo 67 with Canadian
Parliament’s approval, the architectural
design of the housing exhibit was included
on the master plan upon Mr. Moshe Safdie’s
persistence.
Aerial view of Habitat 67. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects

7. Location
Île Ste Hélène, Mackay
Pier, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
The unique location of Habitat
67 was the result of a royal
endorsement of land use
surpassed the National
Harbour Board authority, and
counteracted the resistance of
National Harbour Board to
have any permanent structure
built on Mackay Pier during
Expo 67.
Aerial from water of Habitat 67. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects

8. Significance
Experimental Urban
Residential Complex
The building of Habitat 67
marked lots of ground breaking
solutions in terms of
budgeting, land’s approval,
project management,
architectural design, structural
design, mechanical
engineering, building material,
construction, furnishing,
maintenance, property
management and ownership.
Above and Top Right: Garden Terrace
and Enclosed Balcony of Habitat 67. Photo
courtesy: Safdie Architects
Bottom: Interior of sunken duplex Habitat
67. Photo courtesy: Sotheby’s Realty

9. Contribution
Complete listing could
be found in Expo 67
Exhibition Catalogue
Architect: Moshe Safdie & David,
Barott, Boulva
Structural Constultant:
Dr. August E. Komendant
Structural Engineer: Monti,
Lavole, Nadon
Mechanical & Electrical
Engineers: Huza-Thibault &
Nicholas Fodor & Associates
Landscape Architect:
Harper-Lantzius Consortium
Interior of Habitat 67. Photo courtesy: Sotheby’s Realty
Construction Manager:
Cipriane Da Re
Constructor:
Anglin-Norcross Quebec Ltd.
Precasting Contractor:
Francon Ltd.

10. Success
The twist and turn of the project development story was within apprehension, but the energy, strength,
stamina, commitment, dedication and obligation that Safdie and the whole team felt, as well as Expo 67 being
a young corporation were accounted as the main factors for the successful delivery of Habitat 67.
Drawing and Construction of Habitat 67. Photo courtesy: Safdie Architects