The door of the Refuge des Jeunes

An open door to hope

Founded in 1989, the Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal supports young men aged 17 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. Since its founding, the organization has supported over 25,000 youths by offering shelter, psychosocial support, and reintegration services. In 2017, its co-founder France Labelle was appointed to the Order of Canada for her unwavering commitment to the cause. 

To mark its 35th anniversary, the Refuge wanted to step outside its walls to connect with the public. The idea: a traveling digital artwork symbolizing its founding gesture—opening a door. An accessible urban installation, designed to raise awareness and encourage people to reach out. 

An interactive experience at the heart of the city

Installed at Place des Arts, the piece takes the form of a wooden box with a concrete frame representing the street. A slightly open door, gently lit, draws attention. As people approach, they discover an interactive system: when they place their hand in the light, visuals are projected into their palm. 

These images portray the different stages of a journey at the Refuge: reception, support, rebuilding. They appear without complicated gestures just by reaching out. The body becomes a storytelling medium, revealing the humanity behind the statistics. 

A creation guided by listening

Even before design began, the Normal Studio team visited the Refuge. These encounters deeply shaped the project. 

“We wanted to highlight the impact of the Refuge. Make it a nomadic presence that stirs people out of indifference, that compels them to reach out. We wanted to awaken our spaces with movement and light, to rekindle the human spirit.” 
— Philippe Belhumeur, Creative Director & Scriptwriter 

Every choice, from the soft lighting to the simple gestures and minimal design was rooted in the desire to convey the respect, trust, and humanity felt on site. The goal wasn’t to shock, but to inspire empathy and spark dialogue. 

 

A commitment to solidarity

This project was carried out entirely on a volunteer basis, in a spirit of solidarity. The team dedicated many hours to it with care and conviction, driven by the belief that design can be a tool for social transformation. 

The installation gives the Refuge visibility in public space, helps collect donations, but above all, serves as a reminder that behind every open door, a future is possible. 

A compact feat

Designed by CR34TE and Atelier Coupé Carré, the box contains a Panasonic projector and all necessary equipment for the system to function, all within a limited space. 

Every component was designed for autonomy, safety, and portability, allowing the installation to travel to various public locations. 

 

A first step

Presented for the first time in fall 2024 at Place des Arts, the installation moved many passersby. Several stopped, interacted, and donated. The Refuge now plans to place this symbolic door in other key locations across Montréal. 

 

Partners

CR34TE
Atelier Coupé Carré
Panasonic Connect
Place des Arts 

 

Recognition

Nominated for the 2024 NUMIX Awards, Social Impact category. 

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