The annual Phyllis Lambert Grant puts the Montreal design scene in the spotlight. Established in 2007 by the City and named in tribute to Montreal native architect Phyllis Lambert, the grant recognizes a locally based designer or firm — who has no more than 10 years of practice — for producing outstanding designs and research that show potential for longterm benefits for the city. For 2015, Pelletier de Fontenay won the $10,000 grant for their project "Architectures de la nature captive". Hubert Pelletier and Yves de Fontenay received the prize during a recent ceremony at City Hall, with Phyllis Lambert in attendance. 

"Architectures de la nature captive" is a spin-off from their winning proposal with Kuehn Malvezzi for the upcoming Insectarium Montreal, and reflects the practice's ongoing investigation of the relationship between the built and natural environments. They'll use the grant for a trip to Germany to study topics related to the architecture of nature museums.

Pelletier de Fontenay + Kuehn Malvezzi's winning Insectarium Metamorphosis proposal.

'We feel that the spinoff from their project has concrete applications for Montréal museums, and that their research will contribute significantly to the city and the advancement of their profession,' commented jury spokesman Francis Brisebois.

Next April, Pelletier and de Fontenay will travel to Berlin, Hanover, Mannheim and Heidelberg. The cities are home to many nature museums with histories that date back several centuries, therefore providing access to an in-depth historical perspective. The architects will also visit a dozen institutions and conduct a series of interviews with German professionals.

A selection of works by Pelletier de Fontenay.

Following their trip, Pelletier and de Fontenay will publish the video interviews and their findings as a digital collection of virtual objects, including select images and commentary.

'...I hope for MM. Pelletier and de Fontenay that their work will be nourished by fruitful exchanges and debates with their European peers. I have no doubt that it will benefit our local institutions as well,' stated Phyllis Lambert.