A new chapter begins for Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. The Oratory’s new arrival experience is officially open to the public, offering a more accessible, immersive, and meaningful way to engage with this iconic site.
Designed by our team, this four-storey pavilion now enhances movement through the Oratory’s landscape, creating a seamless transition between the mountain and the built environment. Now, one of Montreal’s most visited cultural and religious landmarks can offer a renewed journey of wholly new dimensions for visitors—one that prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and spiritual connection.
Blending heritage, accessibility, and innovation
Anchored by a striking 61-bell carillon tower, the new pavilion enhances movement through the site, framing new perspectives of both the Oratory and the city beyond. Inspired by the site’s spirituality and the nature of Mount Royal, the design weaves together built and organic elements to create a harmonious, welcoming environment.
Gabion walls made from stone excavated on-site echo the solidity of the Oratory itself, filtering natural light into the interior spaces while reinforcing the connection to the landscape. Meanwhile, terraced rooftops unfold like natural plateaus, offering visitors breathtaking new vantage points of the city and the Oratory’s dome.
Experiential, inclusive and sustainable
Accessibility was a central focus of the design, ensuring that movement through the site is effortless and intuitive. The pavilion’s pathways, gathering spaces, and circulation routes create a smooth transition between the spiritual ascent of the pilgrimage experience and the practical needs of visitors.
As the pavilion becomes part of the city’s central park, sustainability is embedded throughout: green spaces replace paved surfaces to reduce heat islands, enhance biodiversity, and improve air quality. The use of locally sourced materials, passive solar strategies, and rainwater management systems ensures minimal environmental impact while maintaining the site’s ecological resilience.
A renewed landmark
As one of Montreal’s most visited cultural and religious sites, Saint Joseph’s Oratory holds deep significance for the city and beyond, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to work together on this project.
With this transformation, the Oratory not only preserves its heritage but redefines how visitors experience its profound sense of place—inviting reflection, discovery, and connection for generations to come.
Learn more about the arrival experience.
