I loved exploring the architects of the Federal Period in the United States but today something more current more local: Block 2 on Wellington Stree.
I admit I’m being totally unfair by adding a picture of Bjarke Ingel (one of the finalists) as the featured image. But I got your attention! – Today we explore the finalists for Block 2, the redesign of the whole block across from Parliament Hill. I feel I’ve heard about this before but not a lot.
Of course, there was the Chateau Laurier controversy. Everyone has heard about that! And that was an addition to the back of the iconic hotel. Well, admittedly a back that faces the Ottawa River. I just feel like so far the redesign of a whole city block directly across the street from Parliament has not made much of a splash.
Words from Public Services and Procurement Canada Block 2 design competition – Few sites carry the significance of Block 2, the full city block directly opposite Canada’s Parliament buildings, just south of Parliament Hill. To the north, it faces the Centre Block and its Peace Tower. The renewal of Block 2 is a critical piece of PSPC’s Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. The design competition, launched in spring 2021, ensures that the final design for this city block brings forward new vitality to a significant part of Confederation Boulevard. The goal is to transform this mix of buildings into an innovative complex that will meet the needs of Parliament and the public now and into the future.
You can watch a video of the 6 presentations on Facebook. At about 43 minutes in the individual 18 minute presentations of the 6 finalists
Looking at the proposals, a factor for me was how they incorporated Union Bank Building and the Victoria Building. Additional pics of the proposals can be found here.
I hope some of you saw this before yesterday’s deadline for comments. One day late I just sent an email. Should you be so motivated this is the email for comments: tpsgc.dgsipengagement-spibengagement.pwgsc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
All of that being said we now have a list of relevant architects to explore in future posts.
Zeidler Architecture Inc., in association with David Chipperfield Architects
The use of copper between the windows is interesting. I should hope in this case it would be real copper. Coper coloured metal such as used on the addition of the Bank of Canada is good but maybe not in this case.
Diamond Schmitt Architects, in joint venture with Bjarke Ingels Group, KWC Architects and ERA Architects
We’ve previously seen Diamond Schmitt Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 And Bjarke Ingels.
I’m a huge fan of Bjarke Ingel, I quite like this proposal. The modern version of the Mansard roofs is striking. The angled lower floors to allow the Indigenous Peoples Building to shine is quite effective. This is my choice!
Provencher Roy + Associés Architectes Inc.
The rounded tower is very nice! Hard to say what the rest of the block looks like.
Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects, in a joint venture with Behnisch Architekten
I’m not seeing this one! What did they do with the Union Bank Building?
Wilkinson Eyre, in association with IDEA Inc.
Well that’s exuberant! There are better pics in the video. This is quite interesting – perhaps I’ll put this one in my second place.
NEUF Architects, in joint venture with Renzo Piano Building Workshop
I normally love Renzo Piano, think Pompidou Centre in Paris, but what’s happening here. Where did the Victoria Building go? The Union Bank Building? This design from him seems at first glance uninspiring. Perhaps the image is not doing justice.
OK so I’m generally partial to Bjarke Ingel – it was with him that I was first introduced to the term starchitect. He has my vote!
