Montreal Biosphere: The Futuristic Expo 67 Dome That Became an Environmental Museum

In 1791, the King of Bohemia organized an exhibition in Prague to showcase Bohemia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. In the 19th century, several European countries held similar exhibitions. Eventually, the World Expo was born. By the 20th century, millions of people gathered every few years in various cities around the globe to celebrate some of the world’s greatest technological, cultural, and artistic achievements.

In 1967, the World Expo took place in the Canadian city of Montreal. Architect R. Buckminster Fuller collaborated with his colleague Shoji Sadao to create a futuristic geodesic dome which housed a moon-themed NASA exhibit, and a celebration of American folk art, music, and contemporary painting.

In 1968, the geodesic exhibition space was renamed the Biosphere and converted into an aviary with a multitude of birds and an arboretum adorned with hanging plants. The Biosphere hosted several exhibits—including an installation which addressed pollution and humanity’s impact on the environment.

The Biosphere thrived until a 1976 fire caused the acrylic bubble layer to melt. The metal frame of the dome remained vacant until 1996, when a museum dedicated to the Saint Lawrence River opened on the main floor of the structure.

Today, the Biosphere hosts a museum which explores the relationship between the natural world and the industrial society that human beings have created. The Biosphere’s striking spherical shape and delicate web-like architecture mirror the beauty and grandeur of planet Earth.

For a small fee, visitors can purchase a ticket to enter the museum which is housed inside of the Biosphere. In addition to interactive museum exhibits, the Biosphere features several lookout points which offer stunning views of Montreal’s skyline and the St. Lawrence River.

Parc Jean-Drapeau—where the Biosphere is located—is made of two small islands which are located just outside of downtown Montreal. The Biosphere’s geodesic dome is so striking that it is well worth visiting even if you don’t plan on exploring the inside. After dark, the Biosphere is lit up with bright, multi-colored lights that create an almost psychedelic effect.

Montreal is an elegant city that is celebrated for its robust old-world French roots. The Biosphere showcases Montreal’s innovative, future-forward streak that wowed a global audience during the World Expo in 1967. If you’re a fan of architecture that looks like it was imported into our world by a time machine that has traveled several decades into the future, a trip to the Biosphere is an absolute must.

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