La Cité University

Perimeter Security and Urban Design: The La Cité Project (Gatineau/Ottawa)

During the development of La Cité, a key challenge was securing pedestrian access against vehicle-ramming attacks without making the campus feel like a fortress. Urban Pot addressed this by designing a solution that conceals high security with elegance.

The challenge: to reconcile intrusion protection and user-friendliness

The client wanted a protective measure that could stop a heavy vehicle while still providing a welcoming space for students. Instead of cold, purely functional barriers, Urban Pot proposed five monumental planters that serve as aesthetically pleasing enclosures for robust security devices.

Cutting-edge engineering for concealed security

Each unit was designed as a complex piece of engineering:

• Bollard Concealment: Our 68" diameter planters have been designed to fit and completely conceal certified safety bollards.

• Reinforced structure: The bottom of each tank is made of 1/4" aluminum with specific reinforcements to support a 25 cm thick concrete pour made on site, thus anchoring the structure unshakeably.

• Extreme durability: Made from marine-grade aluminum with spray foam insulation, these planters protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles while resisting urban corrosion.

More than a barrier: a meeting place

To transform these security elements into dynamic street furniture, we have integrated high-end features:

• Circular benches made of Ipe wood: Each planter features an Ipe wood seat (with no visible screws) for warm, durable comfort.

• Nighttime safety: A grey reflective strip has been installed under the seat to improve visibility of the structures at night, enhancing user safety.

• Ergonomic backrests: Backrests inclined at 102 degrees complete the experience, inviting relaxation between classes.