HTA Students visit the Diefenbunker!

On October 19, Carleton students took part in a tour of the “Diefenbunker” organized by the History and Theory of Architecture program in SSAC.

The “Diefenbunker” (officially “Canadian Forces Station Carp”) is an underground bunker that was designed to house the Canadian government in the event of a nuclear attack from the Soviet Union. Begun in the midst of the Cold War in 1959, it is an ominous, formidable underground labyrinth of concrete corridors, war rooms, decontamination chambers and rudimentary living quarters. At the time it was built it was a top-secret project. Today, it houses a Cold War museum and has enjoyed designation as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1994.

Carleton students were divided into small groups and treated to a guided tour of the complex from museum staff. As no nuclear war broke out during the course of the tours, everyone was safely bussed back onto campus in time for afternoon classes.

The tour was the first of several being offered this year by the History and Theory of Architecture Program to sites of outstanding historical and architectural interest. The next installment is a tour of Modern Ottawa on November 9 – stay tuned for details.