A Bold Approach to Program and Site: Everything in its Time and Place
Every architectural gesture on Parliament Hill is inescapably tied to a seminal moment in Canadian history. The first architectural act on The Hill in 7867 established a sophisticated grouping of neo-Gothic buildings seeding a parliamentary democracy in alliance with the British Crown. The second significant gesture, the 1920 Peace Tower, rose in the aftermath of a devastating fire and a world war. The third, the modernization of workplaces for Canada's Senators and Parliamentarians comes at a time when the important fourth face of Parliament Hill is conditioned by a conversation about reconciliation. It is our strong belief that the fourth face can provide a healing gesture of reconciliation in this space of national dialogue.
Our design is a starting point for engaging Indigenous groups to evolve a vision that considers the site and its broader cultural context. We propose relocating the Indigenous Peoples' Space (IPS) from the gifted site of 700 Wellington to the site's most lofty perch--the seventh-floor bridge. The historic colonial edifice of 100 Wellington is repurposed as a dignified entry for Senate offices to the east and House of Commons offices to the west. The design is about reconciling relationships, and a newly balanced disposition of program-including the IPS-in its right place within the historic block, for the common good of all.
Parliament Hill's new fourth face takes the form of an undulating wall that respects the historic character of 700 Wellington and the Union Bank exterior, containing offices and meeting spaces for members of Senate and Parliament.A forest-likes structure of wood and steel columns supports the bridging ribbon of the IPS, expressively curving to face Parliament Hill to the north, and nestling in behind the restored historic facades on Metcalfe and Sparks Streets. The focus on enduring design favours timeless, Canadian sourced materials that resonate with all Canadians.
Bridging to Reconciliation
The design intrinsically expresses principles of lndigeneity in its connection to the earth, its emphasis on space to gather, and its views to nature, the river, and the hills beyond Parliament. The roof scape and the floating IPS look to-and are a nod to-the distant curves of Douglas Cardinal's Canadian Museum of History, with the promise of the second major civic edifice embodying Indigenous design principles.
Urban Design and Landscape Vision
The long-term vision for Wellington Street and the Parliamentary campus looks to pedestrianize Blocks 7, 2, and 3 with a granite carpet that extends a ceremonial character across Wellington Street and slows vehicles by removing a lane of traffic. Widely spaced maples are introduced on the north side of Wellington, and the granite plaza visually extends inside the building. At the corner of Wellington and Metcalfe, a spiral ramp creates a balanced asymmetry by deflecting the parliamentary axis. It winds gently skyward to unveil the breadth of the landscape of Canada's capital city and its natural, historic, and civic beauty
Heritage Strategy
Finding appropriate, compatible uses for heritage buildings is key to their sustainable future. The overarching historic importance of Block 2 lies in its relationship to Parliament Hill, across from the designed landscape and structures of East and West Block, Centre Block and the Peace Tower. he transition of Block 2 from a diverse collection of historic buildings to preeminent fourth face of Parliament is an important evolution of Canada's Parliamentary precinct.
This competition provides the opportunity to go beyond the Crown/Town narrative by embracing an Indigenous perspective. We see 100 Wellington as the crux of the site and the catalyst for a more expansive view of heritage conservation. Our team believes that heritage conservation of 700 Wellington is at odds with its status as a gift. The former US Embassy connotes a typology of colonialism that cannot be overwritten by a change of program. The Indigenous architects on our team express it this way: "As Indigenous people who were colonized, to be given colonial architecture is inappropriate, and negates the trauma that was endured then and by the generations that follow. The fundamental nature of the rooms and spaces of this architectural artefact are the very things that make it a difficult fit: the impossibility of connection with nature, the lack of emphasis on light, view, and gathering."
(From competitor's text)
This project was recognized for its strong concepts, parti and clarity and its bold approach to the overall block.
The jury appreciated the materiality, rhythm and curvilinear form of the wood and glass ribbon that knits the block together, as well as its ability to respect the scale of the historic buildings by undulating in, out, around, and over them as it weaves through the block.
The jury commented on this projects ability to balance or complete the fourth wall of Parliament hill through the unification of the block with the horizontal bridge and wood and glass ribbon.
The jury commented on the team's attention to facades to increase energy performance. In particular, the jury appreciated the teams' strategies for each historic facade to create high performance building envelopes, while maintaining the historic significance of their contribution to the district.
The jury commented on the benefit and challenges of an eight-story open air ramp. They recognized the experiential benefits and views back to Parliament hill but also questioned its practicality.
The jury discussed the benefits and challenges of the extensive roof top park. Many jurors commented on the reality of the climate of Ottawa and the challenges of separating public and secure spaces to access the roof top.
While the jury recognises the potential panoramic views offered by the roof park, they questioned the need for an elevated park when there is significant public lawn and green space available throughout Ottawa.
Significant concern was raised around the roof garden's negative shadow impact to the IPS, Wellington streetscape and facades.
The jury noted that the thoughtfulness that went into the roof garden scape should have also been applied to the streetscape.
The jury has significant concern with the project not respecting the setbacks and rules of engagement with the IPS, CIBC building and Library of Parliament. While they appreciate the team's recognition of the importance of engaging with the Indigenous peoples, this is not an acceptable approach. The setbacks and air rights cannot be encroached upon. The jury doubted that the project would be as impactful if adjusted to meet these competition requirements.
Concern was raised with the suggestion of mass timber structural systems on an eight-story building. Current building code will not allow this height and future code will require a significant amount of the structure to be fire protected.
As a result, while the project displayed qualities that were recognized and praised by the jury, due to the above mentioned points, perceived the weaker potential for further development, and based on the relative strengths of other proposals, the project was not selected to advance to stage 2 of the competition.
(From jury report)
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