Ephemeral Permanence

Abstract

Fermont, Québec is an iron mining town of 2874 people. In 1974, a panel of architects, planners and engineers designed a 1.3 kilometre long community complex which acts as a windscreen to protect the town from the Northeasterly wind and record low climate. Detached housing is protected within its wingspan and residents use the complex to cross through town during the subarctic Canadian winter. Northern Quebec’s landscape is freckled with a generous amount of fresh-water lakes. Fermont sits at the elbow of Lac Daviault and is among hills rich with high-grade iron. Fermont’s plan was intended to unite the community and combat the harsh climate. Today, two distinct populations live within the town: those who regularly live and work in Fermont, and the “fly-in/fly-outs” who work for two weeks at a time. Because the mining company provided most of the infrastructure, residents often cannot stay in town once they retire. Fermont is fairly young, so there has only recently been an emerging elderly population, as well as a younger generation of those who were born in the town. Thus, Fermont is in the middle of an important stage in its development and the study of these two population groups, in conjunction with its location among an abundance of hills and lakes, is key to its understanding. The iron embedded in Mont Wright has driven the town’s creation and sustained its existence. Social dynamics of the town are, therefore, intricately woven within its geography, for it is in its remote location that residents have found a pride of place. A sense of community has formed within the walls of the hill-emulating windscreen structure, le Mur Écran, and in the detached houses which are protected within its wingspan. This housing typology is uncommon in mining towns and typically unsuitable for sub-arctic climates, but providing these was instrumental in securing half of the town’s initial population. The windscreen structure was designed to remedy the disparity between Fermont’s geography and the residents’ desire to live in a town that was like the “South”. Houses are situated within the embrace between Lac Daviault’s and its mirror image, le Mur.