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Architecture
Art Deco – Ottawa – Part 1

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Art Deco! My favourite architecture style! OK an all round favourite.

Partly inspired by the 1922 discovery of King Tut. It got its name from Arts Décoratifs, from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris in 1925.

Characterized by typically decorated buildings. Bas- reliefs, geometric designs, favouring the half circles and the chevrons as well as stylized flowers. It represented luxury and glamour.

Though it appeared before World War I in 1903-04 – it became more popular in the 20s. Oddly enough there are details on the Eiffel Tower built in in 1887 that are SO Art Deco! After the depression it became more subdued and finally lost it’s strength after World War II.

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Architect – Michelangelo
di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

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When we think of Michelangelo we think of his David, la Pietà, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but we don’t immediately think architecture! But when I googled most famous architects there he is in the top 10.

Construction on the Laurentian Libray began in 1525. This library which houses over 11,000 manuscripts and 4,500 books was commissioned by the Medici and pope Clement VII. One of its purposes was to demonstrate that thee Medici’s were no longer merchants but members of the intellect. Slight plug for Netflix, if you haven`t seen Medici: Masters of Florence consider watching it – quite nicely done series.

Laurentian Library Florence


Michelangelo designed this vestibule which features columns, recessed niches, and a staircase whose steps it is said flow down as if made of lava.

Laurentian Library Florence / Vestibule & Staircase


He designed the upper storey of the Farnese Palace including its impressive cornice.

Palazzo Farnese


In 1546 he designed the complex pavement of the Campidoglio.

Campidoglio Roma


1547 he was tasked with completing the dome of St.Peter’s Basilica. Such as it was with buildings of this magnitude they are started with one architect and finished by another. Michelangelo designed the dome, and after his death one of his pupil’s finished it. Its design is such that it has been used as a model for other domes: Saint Paul’s in London, Les Invalides in Paris, and the Capitol building in Washington.

Saint-Peter Basilica Dome Vatican



Architect – Zaha Hadid

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As I continue to edit this post I’m having a bit of a surreal moment. Last night chose to feature Zaha Hadid, I drafted the post last night and this morning wanting to add a bit to it I open a new tab only to find that Zaha Hadid is the google doodle of the day. Ohhh!



That being said, Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid was an Iraqi-born British architect. She died last year – and what a loss, her buildings are spectacular.

She was described as the queen of the curve. A professor at the Architectural Association School of Architecture described her as “a planet in her own orbit” Hadid was the first woman to win the RIBA Gold Medal. Her work has been classified into the style of deconstructivism.

Galaxi Soho Beijing


Heydar Aliyev Centre – Azerbaijan


Riverside Museum


Guanzhou Opera House


Eli Edythe Broad Museum


Messner Mountain Museum


Phaeno Science Centre Germany


Interior Superyacht


Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion


Beijing Airport


Maggie Jenks Statue

The Maggie’s Centres are drop-in centres across the United Kingdom and Hong Kong which help anyone affected by cancer.

Finally a short video featuring Dame Hadid and her work.




Architect – Louis Sullivan

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Staying with the Chicago School of Architecture this week let’s explore one of it’s architect: Louis Sullivan.

Though there were at least nine prominent architects associated with the style – Louis Sullivan was the most prolific. In fact going back to the Daly Building I remember first hearing it was in the style of Louis Sullivan as opposed to saying it was in the Chicago School Architecture. I suppose in reality both statements are true.

Louis Sullivan was the mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright – if that were his only claim to fame it would be a good one.

He was born in 1856 of a Swiss-born mother and Irish-born father, he coined the phrase “Form follows function”

Prior to the late nineteenth century exterior walls were load bearing. Then came steel structures “column-frame” and the ability to go up was enabled. Though other architects had built tall buildings Sullivan became known as the father of of Skyscrappers.

Also known as the father of modernism being of the Victorian Era embellishments were added to his buildings sometimes in the Art Nouveau style sometimes in the Celtic Revival style (we’ll have to explore that sometime soon (Molly will like that))

Auditorium Building in Chicago


Auditorium Building in Chicago – Entrance


Wainwright Building, St-Louis


Prudential – Guarantee Building


Guarantee Building Detail


Sullivan’s signature element (and my favourite) was his semi-circular arches, a roman style arch adapted to a more modern setting.

Former Chicago Stock Exchange Building Entrance


National Farmers Bank on Owatonna, Minnesota


Transportation Building, World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago


Terra Cotta Detail Louis Sullivan Prudential Guarantee Building


65 Bleeker Street Bayard-Condict Building


Farmers Merchant Bank


Merchants National Bank


Peoples Federal Savings & Loans



Architecture – Chicago School Style

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After the great fire of Chicago in 1871 Chicago needed to rebuild. The opportunity to build anew meant it could define it’s own style.  It’s own North American style.  And so the Chicago School style takes shape.

An important characteristic is the steel-frame with masonry cladding. This allowed for larger windows. The classic Chicago School windows were a large fixed pane flanked by 2 smaller double-hung sash windows. The building was divided in three, the base at street level, the middle portion with little ornamentation and finally the cornice which could be quite elaborate.

Brooks Building


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Architecture – Stained-Glass Windows

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Stained-Glass Windows truly are beautiful! And on so many levels! The design! The Artwork! The play of light! Featured here are 16 of the world’s most breathtaking according to Architectural Digest: and they should know. The one pictured above was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. I attended a classical concert at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris – it is quite stunning so much glass that you wonder how is this standing.


Architect – Barry Padolsky

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I think it might be fair to say that Ottawa would not be Ottawa without Barry Padolsky’s contribution. Oh of course other architects have their iconic buildings, but Padolsky is everywhere: and you may not have been aware. Plus of course he sits on the Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee at City Hall and tries to ensure that architectural contributions of the past survive the live on into the future.

Better start with Mercury Court as it is his signature piece and where his office is situated. My only question is why is Mercury now static I seem to remember he would spin in the wind.




Some time ago he restored and added to Strathcona on the Park in Sandy Hill.




His glass addition on the Victoria Memorial Museum is stunning. I don’t remember the details, of why the original tower was removed but my recollection is weight, sandy soil, and sinking. This is great as it is a glass echo of the original stone structure.




The Integration of Grant House into a new construction is to me how heritage ought to be done as much as possible. The original structure in front and the new build behind. Not for nothing this building merited so much praise.




One of the classic school to condo conversions Ecole Guigues is beautifully done. The condos with their high tinned ceilings and tall windows are striking.




This refurbishing of 170 Lees makes is a great improvement.



The reconstruction of the Ogilvy store is another heritage success story – it now proudly stands as a landmark at the eastern end of the Rideau Centre.



Finally Art House as well as the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court redevelopment. This delightful multi use building in Sandy Hill yet to completed holds much promise for the arts and and culture community. Of course I had to include a picture of the foyer because of the Swan chairs.




Of course I had to include a picture of the foyer because of the Swan chairs.



To read more about Barry Padolsky & Associates and see more of what he`s done go to his web site Padolsky-Architects.


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Claude Jobin Représentant des ventes

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