The station was constructed as an anti-directional cross-platform interchange, with three lateral tunnels containing two storeys each, joined by four cross-tunnels; both lines therefore have stacked platforms. This layout was intended to allow rapid transfer between a future extension into Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and service to downtown; this service never opened, and the station's layout means that most people who transfer between the Blue and Orange Lines must go down stairs. The station's central access tunnel is connected at its western end to the station's single entrance, which is integrated into an STM control centre and contains a small sunken garden.
Architecture and art
The station was designed by Jean-Louis Beaulieu, who also provided sculptural grilles for the station's main staircase and the rear of the control building. The station's main artwork, a group of four murals by Claude Guité running the full length of the platform and entitled Les quatre saisons. The murals are painted on 500 panels of asbestos cement stretching the entire length of the platforms, they portray semi-abstract scenes of the foliage and weather associated with each of the four seasons. The seasons go in order, counterclockwise around the platforms, with winter on the Côte-Vertu platform, spring on Montmorency, summer on the Saint-Michel departure platform, and autumn on the Snowdon arrival platform. Soon after the station opened the murals were victims of graffiti that badly damaged the artwork. Attempts of removing the graffiti destroyed large sections of the paintings. In 2004 the murals were all removed for a restoration plan by the STM to have the artist repaint the murals and slowly have them reinstalled in the station. As of June 2010 all the murals have been repainted, and are partially reinstalled on all four platforms of the station with a protective sheet of glass to prevent any future vandalism. Starting October 2013 works were initiated on both levels of the station to build two interconnecting elevators for passengers with reduced mobility. Another, third elevator, is also being constructed connecting the upper level with the surface entrance. The only vestibule of the station is also under reconstruction. Once built, the surface elevator will feature the longest shaft in Montreal Metro, with the pit depth of about 25 meters. Works are expected to conclude by January 2016.
Origin of the name
This station is named for the Snowdon neighbourhood. This area took its name from Snowdon Street, which in turn took its name from the owner of the farm on which it was built. The underground station platforms, located under Avenue Dornal, are approximately four blocks — about 250 m — east of the site of Snowdon Junction, a major transfer point during the streetcar era.
