CU in the City Panel Discussion – Old Buildings/New Forms: Transforming Ottawa
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016 at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- In-person event
As we prepare to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary, Ottawa is in a state of architectural transformation.
Parliament Hill is a construction site, soon to feature a modernized West Block and visitor’s centre. Buildings along Wellington Street, the capital’s main ceremonial boulevard, have either been recently rehabilitated or are undergoing major alterations. Some buildings, like the former U.S. Embassy, remain empty while awaiting the next major project. Even the sacred Château Laurier, which introduced us to the romance of the grand Canadian hotel, has ignited heated public debate with a proposed addition.
These conversations reflect Ottawan’s profound investment in protecting the region’s perceived symbolic and physical value. Are these old Ottawa buildings being successfully transformed into new spaces, and what factors determine perceived success?
With many major city projects on the cusp of being commissioned, now is the time for the community to have an inclusive discussion with a panel of invested experts on the reimagining of Ottawa and the historic places that help construct the city’s identity.
CU in the City Panel – Old Buildings/New Forms: Transforming Ottawa offers an open and collegial venue to partake in this important dialogue.
One of the panelists is Peter Coffman, architectural historian and faculty member of the History and Theory of Architecture program. You can also find a series of articles written on this topic at the HTA Blog.
