Revealing contenders for Ottawa’s Parliamentary Precinct design competition

by sadia_badhon | June 1, 2021 9:31 pm

The Canadian government and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has launched an architectural design competition for Block 2 facing Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. As part of the first stage of the competition, 12 teams were invited to submit an outlined design concept.[1]
The Canadian government and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has launched an architectural design competition for Block 2 facing Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. As part of the first stage of the competition, 12 teams were invited to submit an outlined design concept.
Photo courtesy RAIC

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada[2] (RAIC) is supporting the Canadian government in their initiative to revitalize the Parliamentary Precinct in downtown Ottawa. This project aims to preserve the Parliamentary Precinct to ensure it meets the needs of a 21st-century Parliament, and make it greener, safer, and more accessible.

In partnership with RAIC, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) launched an architectural design competition to redevelop Block 2, one of the most prominent city blocks in the country. Block 2 faces Parliament Hill to the north and is the threshold to city life to the south.

On May 21, PSPC invited the 12 firms that will participate in the architectural design competition for Block 2. These teams had the highest evaluated scores out of the applications received following the request for qualification (RFQ). All teams include at least one Canadian firm.

The competition will transform mixed-use ageing buildings into an innovative complex that will create a balance between heritage, accessibility, security, and sustainability. As part of the first stage of the competition, the following teams were invited to submit an outlined design concept:

In collaboration with PSPC, a multidisciplinary independent jury will provide insight to evaluate the range of design concepts submitted and will select the six best designs to advance to Stage 2[3] of the competition. The jury will help ensure a broad perspective in selecting a design that is innovative, creative, and reflective of its location.

RAIC and PSPC will continue to work closely with the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, the Parliamentary Protective Service, and other outside stakeholders such as the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission (NCC), and the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office to revitalize the Parliamentary Precinct.

Additionally, on February 1, PSPC announced an independent jury will evaluate the designs generated by the architectural design competition for Block 2. Two architects, Bruce Haden and Anne McIllroy, will serve as chairperson and vice-chair for the design competition.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.constructioncanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Opener-1.jpg
  2. Royal Architectural Institute of Canada: https://raic.org/
  3. Stage 2: https://www.constructioncanada.net/design-competition-launched-for-block-2-in-ottawas-parliamentary-precinct/

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/revealing-contenders-for-ottawas-parliamentary-precinct-design-competition/