When you think of Montreal, you think of the skyline defined by downtown skyscrapers, the red-brick houses with iron staircases on the Plateau, a few somewhat eerie neo-Gothic churches, and many buildings that fall somewhere in between—neither industrial nor post-industrial. Depending on where you are in the city, you inhabit a different kind of space. Even the vegetation changes drastically from one neighborhood to the next.
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is at the end of a small street lined with two-story brick buildings, with the backs of the buildings across the street exposed and covered in climbing ivy that winds around the iron railings of the balconies. The Centre, which is currently under construction, is a large, pearl-gray rectangular building, surrounded by very green, very neatly mowed grass. Right next door, the Mother House of the Grey Nuns of Montreal is almost hidden behind tall railings overgrown with large ferns.
It’s the perfect place to study—and discuss—urban planning. Right now, the CCA is hosting a beautiful exhibition that revisits the work of architect Álvaro Siza.
“THE CITY’S STRENGTH IS THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN PERFECT”
The exhibition opens with drawings by Siza, executed as if they were quick, unthinking sketches. Then, for those of us who aren’t architects (or architecture nerds), there’s a film playing on a loop. Produced for the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, the film follows Siza on a tour of four of his urban planning projects: Bouça in Porto, Campo di Marte in Venice, Punt en Komma in The Hague, and Block 121 in Berlin. Each of these projects—which redevelops the city following abandonment, fire, destruction, or major construction projects like a new subway line—is now inhabited.
Siza, who looks a bit like a movie star who has aged gracefully and speaks somewhat like Anthony Bourdain, patiently listens to the complaints and personal stories of the residents of his buildings. He says that putting a window in the bathroom would be a sin. It would disfigure the facade.
Plans, drawings, and snippets of history are displayed in the CCA’s large white rooms, and models and photos illustrate the architect’s insights. Like this one;
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Where? Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), at 1920 Baile Street
When? May21, 2026, to January 10, 2027
SATURDAY / 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
SUNDAY / 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
MONDAY / CLOSED
TUESDAY / CLOSED
WEDNESDAY / 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
THURSDAY / 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
FRIDAY / 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
How? For more info, click here
$15 for adults
$10 for seniors (age 65 and older) and students
Free admission for visitors under 18,Friends of the CCA, and members of Indigenous communities
Free admission every Thursday after 5 p.m.
*50% discount when one of the exhibitions is closed
