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227 competitions documented	466 competitions listed
6 009 projects	60 921 documents

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Competitor

Diamond Schmitt Architects + Bjarke Ingels Group + KWC Architects + ERA Architects

Finalist

Parliamentary Precinct Redevelopment - Block 2 in Ottawa / Réaménagement de la Cité parlementaire - Bloc 2 à Ottawa

Stage 1

Stage 2

Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Site Plan

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Plan

Ground Floor and Outdoor Spaces

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Level B3

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Level B2

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Level B1

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Level 2

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Level 3

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Level 4

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Level 5

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Level 6

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Level 7

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Level 8

Section

AA

Section

BB

Section

CC

Cross-sectional perspective

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Elevation

North - Wellington Street

Elevation

South - Sparks Street

Elevation

West - O'Connor Street

Elevation

East - Metcalfe Street

Construction detail

Facade 1

Construction detail

Facade 2

Schema

Parliamentary Hill

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Streetscape Character

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Site

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Heritage Designation

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Project Footprints

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Zoning Envelope

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Conservation Approach - Four Corners Building

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Conservation Approach - Marshall Bank Building

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Conservation Approach - Union Bank Building

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Conservation Approach - Birks Building

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Conservation Approach - Bate Building

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Conservation Approach - Victoria Building

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Conservation Approach - Valour Building

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Architectural Approach - Setbacks

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Architectural Approach - Views

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Architectural Approach - Framing IPS

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Architectural Approach - IPS Extension

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Architectural Approach - Solar Responsive Facade

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One plaza

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Atria

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Roofscapes

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Water as Meeting Space

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Block 2

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Pre-Demo and Historic Building Protection

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Tables Structure and BLDG Ramps

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Excavation

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Structural Framing and Floor

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Completion

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Experiential Landscape

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Distribution of Functions

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Circulation

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Security Concept

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Nova Scotia - Bank of Parliament

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Union Bank

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Birks Building

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Marshall Building

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Natural Ventilation Mode

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Air Conditioning

Diagram

Harmony

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Environmental Strategy - Building Scale

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Outdoor Spaces - Urban Scale

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Environmental Design Priorities

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Sunpath

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Hourly Ambient Temperatures

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Key Environmental Design

Diagram

Structure and Materials

Diagram

Facade Design

Diagram

Facade Design Criteria

Diagram

Solar Irradiation Mapping

Diagram

Services 1

Diagram

Services 2

Diagram

Services 3

Diagram

Towards Zero Carbon

View

Parliamentary Terrace

View

Public Terrace

Reference Image

Chaudière Falls

Reference Image

Landscape

Reference Image

Barrack Hill Before Parliament Hill

Reference Image

Timber Raft in front of Parlement Hill

Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Presentation Panel

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Perspective

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Site Plan

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Plan

Ground Floor

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Level B3

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Level B2

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Level B1

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Level 2

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Level 3

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Level 4

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Level 5

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Level 6

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Level 7

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Level 8

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Roof

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Medium Committee Room

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Typical Office

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Level 6 - Setbacks Above Library of Parliament

Section

Longitudinal

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At the West

Section

At the East

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LoP

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Setback Over Library of Parliament

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Committee Room

Elevation

North - Wellington Street

Elevation

South - Sparks Street

Elevation

North - Wellington Street

Elevation

East - Metcalfe Street

Elevation

West - O'Connor Street

Elevation

South - Sparks Street

Elevation

West - East Building

Elevation

East - West Building

Elevation

Brick Facade

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New Building

Elevation

Birks Building

Elevation

Victoria Building

Elevation

Valour Building

Axonometric Drawing

Common Space at East Building

Axonometric Drawing

Committee Room

Axonometric Drawing

Common Spaces at West Building

Axonometric Drawing

West Interconnection

Construction detail

Composite Concrete CLT Slab

Construction detail

Structural Grid and Service Coordination

Construction detail

Typical Section 1

Construction detail

Typical Beam Slab Connection

Construction detail

Birks Building Facade

Construction detail

Victoria Building Facade

Construction detail

New Building Facade

Construction detail

Valour Building Façade

Construction detail

New Building Facade Section

Construction detail

Birks Building Section

Construction detail

Valour Facade Section

Schema

Block 2

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IPS Reconciliation

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Wellington Street Walls

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Heritage Designation

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Canada's Four Corners Building

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Birks and Bate Buildings

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Valour Building

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Victoria Building

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Union Bank and Marshall Building

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Reconciliation - The Healing Block

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Site

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Heritage Designation

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Zoning Envelope

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Preserving Historic Elements

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Solar Responsive Facade

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People Above Institutions

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Conservation Treatment Demo

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Conservation Treatment Preserved

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Conservation Treatment Exterior Strategy

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Conservation Treatment Interior Strategy

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Architectural Approach - IPS Setback

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Architectural Approach - Courtyard at the West Building

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Architectural Approach - Setbacks on Sparks Street

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Architectural Approach - Viewpoint

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Architectural Approach - Wellington Plaza

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Architectural Approach - Setback on Wellington Street

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Parliamentary Hill

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Streetscape Character

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Phasing Concept - Site Access

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Phasing Concept - Pre-Demo and Historic Facades Retention

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Phasing Concept - Excavation

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Phasing Concept - Staging and Concrete Podiums

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Phasing Concept - Structural Framing

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Phasing Concept - East Building Completion

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Phasing Concept - Cantilever Truss Over LoP

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Phasing Concept - Completion

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Axonometric of Landscape

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Distribution of functions

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Parliamentarian Access

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Committee Room Access

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Library of Parliament Access

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Loading and Service Access

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Security at East Building

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Security at West Building

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Site Access - Demo and Facade Retention

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Excavation Phase

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Construction Phase

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The East Ground Connection

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The East Atrium

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Breakout Spaces at the East

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The West Ground Connection

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The West Atrium

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Breakout Spaces at the West

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Lighting Zones at Office Floor

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Lighting Zones at Committee Room Floor

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Concrete

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Timber Structure

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Transfer and Lateral

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Solar Exposure on the North

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Solar Exposure on the South

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BIPV and PV

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Water Collection

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City Grid Connection

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Natural Ventilation

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Electrical

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IT and Security

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Fire Alarm

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Ventilation

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Heating and Cooling

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Plumbing

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Climate

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Urban Context and Heritage

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Daylight and Visual Comfort

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Thermal Balance

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EUI Reduction

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Carbon Minimization

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Facade Design Principles

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Key Environmental Design Principles

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Facade Optimization - South-East

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Facade Optimization - North-West

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Facade Optimization - East Block - North-East

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Facade Optimization - East Block - North-West

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Facade Optimization - South-West

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Facade Optimization - North-West

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East Block - Atrium Analysis - Solar Access Study

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East Block - Atrium Analysis - Daylight Autonomy Study

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West Block - Atrium Analysis - Solar Access Study

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West Block - Atrium Analysis - Daylight Autonomy Study

Diagram

Material Selection Matrix

Diagram

Frame Material Analysis

Diagram

Typical Electrical Room

Diagram

Typical IT and Security Room

Diagram

Hourly Ambient Temperatures - Potential for Natural Ventilation

Diagram

Facade Design Principles

Diagram

Natural Ventilation

Diagram

Environmental Impact

Reference Image

Chaudière Falls

Reference Image

Barrack Hill Before Parliament Hill

Reference Image

Timber Raft in Front of Parliament Hill

Reference Image

Original Birks Building Design in 1913

Reference Image

Concept

Reference Image

Landscape Palette

Reference Image

Embrace - Enfolding the Past Towards the Future

View

Aerial View - East Roof

View

Aerial View - West Roof

View

East Roof

View

West Roof

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE COMPETITOR

Competitor	Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc.
	dsai.ca

	ERA Architects Inc
	eraarch.ca/

	BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
	big.dk

	KWC Architects Inc
	kwc-arch.com


Distinction	Finalist
Doc. level	75%

Description

Stage 1

The Parliamentary Precinct Redevelopment Block 2 project is an opportunity to reconceive the central block at the intersection of the grid of Ottawa's commercial core and the Parliamentary Precinct, designing for the future while drawing inspiration from the rich heritage architecture of the site. The project is at the complex convergence of distinct urban areas, creating a dignified urban edge to frame Parliament Hill to the north, and participating in the vibrant civic atmosphere of historic Sparks Street.

Our project attempts to represent architecturally the values of today's Canadian democracy: To respect nature and resources with a human-centered architecture that is experientially rich with natural materials and biophilia in a zero carbon building, To engage respectfully with the Indigenous Peoples' Space at the heart of the site by sculpting our building to create a shared public space, To put people above institutions and draw the public up through the building to a roof terrace that is grounded in the material history of site and with a panoramic view of the Ottawa River, To respect the built heritage of Sparks Street with a rational approach to form and program, framing the Parliamentary lawn as a fourth wall on Wellington Street with a forward -thinking architecture.

Stage 2

The Parliamentary Precinct Block 2 Redevelopment project is an occasion to reflect on the richness of Canada's historic architecture, while constructing a pair of buildings to represent aspirations for the nation's future. Our proposal addresses the dualities of the site: It creates a dignified urban edge on Wellington Street and fourth wall for Parliament Hill to the north, while contributing to Ottawa's commercial core to the south, enriching the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Sparks Street.

The architecture of the project represents values that are central to Canadian democracy: a respect for nature and resource conservation reflected in a zero-carbon building; the centering of the human experience through environmentally rich spaces composed of natural materials; a respectful engagement with the Indigenous Peoples' Space at the core of the site; the honouring of history by sensitively adapting the built heritage of Sparks and Wellington Streets: a recognition of the central position of the nation's people in their parliamentary democracy, by creating a space for visitors on our proposed public roof, with vistas across Canada's most important governmental buildings and landscapes.

In developing the proposal for this second stage, we are receptive to the comments of the Jury, which have provided the framework to enrich and reinforce the pillars of our original design. We have strengthened our approach to the conservation of built heritage and urban form, reconciliation with and respect for the IPS, and natural conservation, and developed a clear and elegant spatial organization for both buildings, keeping in mind the tenets of universal design. This refinement of the project, responding to both general and specific commentary culminates in a project supporting people at the centre of the Canadian democratic process.

All the block's heritage façades will be retained. with changes to character-defining elements minimized. Exterior side walls will be retained where they remain visible, to maintain the volumetric expression of buildings. Unsympathetic changes will be reversed, and where appropriate, missing features will be replaced either with accurate replicas or new compatible designs which maintain the building's authenticity.

We have re-examined our massing approach in Stage 2 based on comments from the jury. The importance of the horizontal datum at the eaves-line has been extended onto Wellington, as a more sympathetic contextual attitude. The strength of the fold line at the height of 100 Wellington reinforces the fourth wall of the Parliamentary Lawn. This modified massing creates a cohesive urbanistic and architectural expression, appropriately scaled around the whole block, tied together by a consistent datum line.

The geometry on Wellington has been canted back to give more prominence to the IPS and underscore its primacy on the block. The reworked proposal maintains the gesture of the setback plazas adjacent to the IPS. The east and west buildings mirror across the IPS, creating a respectful shared plaza on either side, a strategy that calls attention to the IPS without dominating the elevation.

(From competitor's text)

Jury Report

Stage 1

The design scheme works with a consistent massing and façade approach for the block, by using an abstract grid skin, that is either slightly set back from the existing facades, or slightly pushed forward. The abstract grid almost acts as a passepartout to the facade, framing the unique facade reliefs and the rich detailing of the heritage buildings. The skin wraps around the Block 2 towards Wellington Street, to create balanced volumes around the IPS building. The volumes are treated symmetrically and shape a sculptural void, that is both leaving space around the IPS and drawing attention to the building. Jury members discussed whether this approach would be interpreted as embracing or overpowering. Comments were also made that placing the IPS building into a very locked and decided space, may limit the design response for the IPS.

Along Sparks Street, and Metcalfe Street, the facade is withdrawn to create a steep roof. Thus, adding an abstract modern expression to the streetscape. At the same time, it is downscaling the extensions of the existing buildings to preserve the views to Parliament Hill and underline the existing facades.

While the neutral grid structure of the skin is on one hand allowing for a certain abstraction and blends well with the Valour Building, on the other hand it is creating an overwhelming repetition, that is not corresponding to the existing block composition of Block 1, 2 and 3 along Wellington Street, as well as Parliament Hill. The jury recommends a more nuanced approach to the façade structure and a relation to the hierarchy, pattern, and rhythm of existing surrounding buildings. In addition, by maintaining the absolute continuity of the grid to the ground level, the scheme does not appropriately reflect the importance of the pedestrian experience.

The jury searched for a more neutral approach, that could allow a more volumetric and expressive freedom for future development and additions to the existing IPS building.

While the grid did not make the entrances intuitive, the jury felt that this proposal celebrated the public lobby of the east building by creating a visual and axial connection to Parliament Hill and inviting the public to a spatial experience by defining a movement from street level up to the public roof garden via a spacious atrium, that references the Canadian landscape. While this gesture of openness is commended by the jury it is also questioned if the placement of the committee rooms adjacent to the public roof garden is fulfilling security standards.

The Interior organisation is fairly traditional, with narrow central hallways that is not inviting any social interaction or creating natural meeting places.

The committee rooms are placed on the upper floors on the eastern building complex, which seem natural due to the larger span, but therefore not allowing visual interaction with the public.

The use of timber construction as a sustainable construction material, is an aspiration received positively by the jury. However, the proponents should strictly study and consider the Canadian building codes and the inherent current limitations (code/ structural / hardening).

Additional Jury comments/recommendations included:
• Due to the dense programming of the scheme, the common spaces in the east and west towers should be studied further, as well as the circulation functions and the insufficient interstitial spaces.
• The lack of interconnection between the Valour building and the block were also considered as poor.
• The placement of certain functions received criticism.
• The access to and organisation of the loading dock and parking spaces are to be reconsidered based on the Competition Brief requirements.

Stage 2

The conceptual idea of the project is to respect and honor the IPS building by letting it take centre stage. This is accomplished with a sculptural and expressive move, pulling the new facades back to flank the IPS building, and so creating equal space on either side of the IPS. The IPS building then becomes the centerpiece in a symmetric composition seen from Parliament Hill. The jury is sympathetic to the idea of allowing the IPS building to be front and centre, and appreciates the generosity of space around the building, even if the formal solution can also be read as potentially too strong and requires a self-confident response on the part of the IPS. The jury also praised the successful overall composition of the external form, which, taken on its own, integrates appropriately into the urban context.

The new buildings, on both Wellington and Sparks, are created with a uniform abstract surface, a grid theme that slightly changes depending on the sun orientation. Most surfaces and facades as well as mansard roofs and overhangs, have the same grid expression with cladding in an appropriate Queenston limestone. The massing of the buildings responds to the massing of the buildings on Parliament Hill. The entrances are placed centrally for each building, towards Wellington, as is the entrance to the IPS which leaves the plaza around IPS unprogrammed. The public entrance is placed off axis in relationship to the peace tower. Along Sparks Street and Metcalfe Street the facade steps back to form a mansard roof, downscaling the extensions of the existing buildings, to preserve the views to Parliament Hill and the Peace tower. The jury appreciates the setback although the scale seems somewhat overbearing and not in balance with adjacent mansard roofs across the street. Further, the uniform roofline of Sparks Street does not reflect the overall character of Sparks.

The jury commented in the competition stage 1 on the repetition of the exterior grid strategy and recommended a more nuanced approach to the facade structure and a relationship to the pattern and rhythm of existing surrounding buildings. Even though the proponents have developed the grid to adapt to different orientations, the overall abstract quality and continuous uniformity remains as an overall impression.

Both east and west buildings have roof top gardens. The jury appreciates the references to the escarpment, the circular form and the distinct character of the two rooftop designs, as well as the well planned and thoroughly designed gardens.

The proposal demonstrates an understanding of heritage requirements but is vague on specifics. The proponents have chosen to rehabilitate 8 out of 9 buildings. Individual analysis for treatment of each heritage building is present with rehabilitation as the primary treatment. The conversion and integration of Union Bank and Birks Lobby is appreciated by the jury.

According to the jury, the design is impressive in its external form, but seems to have been driven by a desired exterior expression and has glaring weaknesses in the interior. The buildings are organized around the two equally weighted entrances, with direct connection to an interior atrium but missing generosity in their expression to Wellington. The public access to the roof top garden is through the atrium, which will demand designated elevators and egress. While it is understood that the floor levels of the Valour building do not match the new building floor heights there does not appear to be any attempt to create a connection between the buildings either than a stair on level 4. A clear, pleasant and logical circulation strategy is missing, making the floor plans somewhat random, with narrow and winding hallways. Although the central atrium creates wayfinding and breathing room, the building layout is very compact. In regard of office units, the jury welcome the ambition to provide each unit with natural daylight but raised doubts whether the narrow proportions of the units are functional.

The concept for the energy design is well integrated into the overall design of the building and builds on comprehensible components that serve an appropriate basis for contemporary ecological-technical sustainability. However, the tilted facades on the south-east elevation in combination with the relatively high window-wall-ratio would lead to increased cooling loads. The façade design configuration uses floor-to-ceiling glazing, which is not optimal in terms of energy performance and the relationship between daylighting and thermal loads. Operable elements are integrated into the façade and the means of cleaning these would need to be considered. The proposed HVAC concept includes perimeter heating, FCUs and a dedicated outdoor air system. PV modules are integrated into the roof design and the Valour building façade. The proposed structure is based on timber construction - an attitude to be welcomed in principle, but that may create building code compliance challenges.

Overall, the design makes an important contribution to the competition. However, it was not shortlisted, in particular because of its shortcomings in the functional organization and the external appearance, which, although it seeks a reference to Parliament Hill, the Peace Tower and the axis and establishes a relationship to the IPS, ultimately remains slightly alien in the opinion of the jury.

(From jury report)

List of accessible documents

277 scanned / 277 viewable

VIDEO DOCUMENTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE : Unless otherwise indicated, photographs of buildings and projects are from professional or institutional archives. All reproduction is prohibited unless authorized by the architects, designers, office managers, consortiums or archives centers concerned. The researchers of the Canada Research Chair in Architecture, Competitions and Mediations of Excellence are not held responsible for any omissions or inaccuracies, but appreciate all comments and pertinent information that will permit necessary modifications during future updates.
info@ccc.umontreal.ca

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