Siting:
Its relation to the site is good; its law proportions create appropriate scale; its long curved form defines and accentuates the Memorial Boulevard approach to the Legislative Building and, more than any other entry, recognizes and enhances the Osborne Street relationship to the total complex by both closing and opening the vista. The circular plaza (containing the Cenotaph moved from its present location) superimposed on the divided traffic plan of Memorial Boulevard is unsympathetic to the total site plan. The dynamic form of the building dominates the site, leaving no place to stop and rest. The rigid clumps of trees are questioned; their classic balance along the east facade would not be appreciated at such close range. The access to parking is tight.
Internal Planning:
Weak: the internai organization does not function weil. Areas have been distributed within the basic form of the building with little apparent concern for the way in which they should function or relate to each other. The off-centre placing of the Council Chamber is not successful. The court would have been better as an internal space if it had been covered at the main roof level.
Exteriors:
The model indicates a sensitive design, excellent in scale and fascinating in ils fine materials, immaculate in colour and workmanship. The drawings give no indication of such qualities; they are little more thon enlargements of the diagramatic layouts submitted in the Preliminary Stage, without definition of materials or detailing. The treatment of the north and south facades is not very happy.
Interiors:
Only fair. The Council Chamber is unbelievably low and insignificant for its actual importance.
Over-all Concept:
The Jury was greatly intrigued by the unique and exciting possibilities proposed in the Preliminary Stage. Basically, the concept, as presented in the final model and in the accompanying report, was excellent. However, the planning, the exteriors and interiors as precented in the drawings were unaccountably poor in both function and detail. It was most disappointing to see a brilliant conception, which had been presented with such sensitivity in a superb model, considerably negated by neglect of its architectural development.
(From jury report)
10 scanned / 10 viewable
- Photograph of Model
- Photograph of Model
- Site Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Elevation
- Photograph of Model
