Les Filets of Esplanade Tranquille
City of Montreal

Les Filets (The nets) are a set of large lounge seats designed for the Esplanade Tranquille, a public square in the heart of Montreal's vibrant Quartier des Spectacles. The result of a playful furniture design competition organized by the city of Montreal, they form an oasis for collective relaxation, contemplation and social interaction.

Tucked slightly away from the vibrant energy of the Quartier des Spectacles, Esplanade Tranquille is a dynamic gathering space that transforms with the seasons. In summer, it hosts festivals; in winter, it becomes an ice rink. Constantly evolving, it features a rotating series of temporary installations. Yet for much of the year, this vast expanse of concrete could feel unwelcoming. To enhance its appeal and offer a warmer, more human-scale experience, the City of Montreal launched a design competition, inviting designers to create engaging, inclusive, and playful urban furniture.

Urban furniture is typically designed to withstand heavy use and vandalism—qualities that often come at the expense of softness. With this project, we made a bold choice: to bring softness into public space. Les Filets introduce a new form of communal lounge seating. Crafted from a flexible and durable rope type, their oversized net adapts to any user, offering both a cozy place to relax and a playful space for children to climb. Freestanding and modular, they can be arranged individually or grouped into islands, fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere for rest and social connection.

To balance flexibility, strength, and durability, the nets are made from composite rope—braided polyester with a galvanized steel wire core—a type commonly used in children’s climbing structures. Aluminum sleeves connect the cables, forming the net’s mesh and securing it to the frame. Threaded onto the rope like beads on a string, the sleeves are then swaged (compressed) to lock everything in place. This technique ensures a strong, durable assembly while preserving the net’s inherent flexibility and comfort.

Denser at the seat level and gradually loosening upward, the diamond-shaped weave adapts to the user's body, providing optimal comfort while minimizing the rebound effect between individuals.

Beyond comfort, the net embodies an economy of means. Lightweight both visually and physically, it enables a bold yet inviting gesture, proportionate to the public space, while preserving a welcoming and enveloping human scale.