PROMENADE RIVERAINE SAINT-JÉRÔME

Building on Phase I completed in 2020, Phase II of the Jardin des Arts / Riverside Promenade aims to enhance an iconic site in downtown Saint-Jérôme. Bordering the Rivière du Nord, this strategic section connects two major landmarks in the landscape: the Castonguay and Saint-Joseph bridges. Although short in length, this segment stands out for its evocative power—landscape-wise, heritage-wise, and sensorially.

Downstream from the Castonguay Bridge, spectacular waterfalls followed by a series of rapids dominate the scene. Upstream, a still-visible dam bears witness to the site's hydraulic history. These elements form the natural and historical foundation on which the design concept is based. The goal is to bring visitors closer to the falls—both physically and emotionally—so they can fully experience the raw energy of the place.

What sets this project apart is its ability to combine an immersive landscape experience, a sensitive historical narrative, and a committed contemporary design. The concept draws strength from the site's history: initially a location for turbine mills in the 19th century, then a major textile hub with the Regent Knitting Mills and Tricofil factories in the 20th century. Though these industrial layers have largely disappeared, they guided choices in materials, forms, and symbolism. This memory is reflected in the use of materials—stone paving, reddish brick, metal, and solid wood—that evoke the original industrial structures. Existing remnants were discreetly integrated—not museum-like, but as part of a dialogue between history and the present.

At the heart of the development, a central plaza unfolds as a scenic lookout, featuring a paving pattern inspired by knitting—a tribute to the textile artisans and workers who shaped the site’s legacy. This graphic treatment, which also echoes the ripples of water at the base of the waterfall, acts as a powerful commemorative gesture, linking the past to the site’s new cultural role.

A cantilevered, universally accessible balcony descends to the level of the old foundations, offering a direct connection to the river. This platform creates an intimate dialogue with the falls, allowing safe immersion while respecting the site's natural conditions.

The design also supports a dynamic program through subtle scenographic lighting (ground projections, suspended string lights, ambient illumination) and vegetation adapted to seasonal cycles. On the urban side, a denser planted edge serves as a visual filter, framing views of the river and providing a feeling of disconnection from the urban fabric.

Ultimately, Phase II of the Jardin des Arts transforms a once-neglected space into a structured, accessible public place rooted in memory—a place where history, materiality, and landscape come together to offer citizens a meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable experience.