Project Background

In 2024, Gabriel Dufresne imagined a discovery space in Granby for children aged 2 to 12 that would be immersive, interactive, and grounded in the real world. With a handful of retired vehicles (police cruiser, ambulance, tractor) and a large former hangar secured, he called on La bande à Paul to help bring the project to life.

What La bande à Paul Brought to the Table

The challenge was to create a space that was playful, physical, and instructive in equal measure. The result is a child-scaled village composed of 16 themed environments – from a veterinary clinic to a laboratory to a fire station – each offering hands-on experiences, tools to manipulate, and scenarios to explore. To support adult caregivers and spark dialogue, each station also includes suggested prompts for interaction. The space invites imagination while grounding play in tactile, real-world contexts.