Buckminster's Biosphere

This giant looming sphere in Montreal's Parc Jean Drapeau is one of the iconic structures of the city skyline.

This is the Montreal Biosphere.

Constructed for the 1967 World Expo the biosohere was the focal point of the USA Pavilion. It was designed by Buckminster Fuller, famous American architect and renowned futurist thinker.

The dome during the expo housed four themed sections with seven levels, the world's longest escalator(at the time) at 37m long and even a monorail that went into the dome.

In 1976, almost 10 years after the expo the biosphere caught fire during renovations and was damaged, the steel structure was solid enough to stay in place but however, the biosphere was closed down for the next 14 years until 1990. That same year Park's Canada purchased and renovated it into a museum showcasing the ecosystem of the Great Lakes and the St-Laurent river system.

Today it has exhibitions which explore and discuss the worlds most pressing issues related to water, air systems, climate change and sustainable development. No doubt a tribute to the man behind the design of this important Montreal landmark.