The Montreal Biosphere is a museum located on Saint Helen’s Island in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The museum is dedicated to the environment and the impact of humans on the natural world. It is housed in a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller for the 1967 World’s Fair, Expo 67.
The Biosphere is a geodesic dome that is 62 meters in diameter and 76 meters tall, making it one of Montreal’s most recognizable landmarks. It houses exhibitions and interactive displays on environmental issues, climate change, sustainable development, and the history of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem.
The Biosphere offers a range of exhibits and activities focused on environmental sustainability, including interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and workshops. Visitors can learn about topics such as climate change, water conservation, and sustainable development, as well as explore the ecological diversity of Quebec’s various ecosystems.
The museum is housed in the former United States pavilion erected for Expo 67. Buckminster Fuller was the geodesic dome’s architectural engineer. The original structure was an enclosed structure of steel and acrylic cells 76 meters (249 feet) in circumference and 62 meters (203 feet) high. It is a Class 1 (icosahedral, as opposed to Class 2 and Class 3 domes, which are dodecahedral and tetrahedral, respectively) 32-frequency, double-layer dome with strut latticework connecting the inner and outer layers.
The Biosphere was closed for renovations in 2013 after a fire caused significant damage, but it reopened in 2019 with new exhibits and a focus on environmental education and sustainability. It is now operated by the Government of Canada and is open to the public year-round.
The Biosphere also hosts temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year, such as workshops, conferences, and concerts. It is open to the public year-round and is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists.
Visitors to the Biosphere can explore interactive exhibits on topics such as water conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. The museum also hosts workshops, lectures, and other events related to environmental issues and sustainability.
