The local blog, Urbsite, features a history of the modernist design of the original three buildings on campus in the 1960s. The blog opens:
Carleton University’s recently updated master plan is recommending the demolition of Paterson Hall – one of the first three buildings that formed the nucleus of the Rideau River campus. With it will go the last remnant of Carleton’s modern architectural foundations. This section of undulating blue brick wall is all that survives from that era of pure abstract boxes so arrogantly imposed on a site that had been blessed by shorelines, trees, topography and natural open spaces.
Looking calm, cool and collected, Carleton’s original quadrangle was one of Canada’s sleekest assemblages of modern buildings. The trio of Tory (science), Paterson (arts) and MacOdrum (library) framed an elevated podium landscaped to look like a Miro painting. Grassy terraces stood along the fourth side. The stylish confidence of these structures belies a tortuous history – each of these buildings had its own crisis of funding and design.
For the rest of the blog, including descriptions of Paterson’s moat, crinkle cut blue walls, and inside/outside spaces, and the design history of Tory Hall and McOdrum Library, see http://urbsite.blogspot.ca/2010/02/last-stand-for-carletons-early-moderns.html.
Paterson Hall was one of the first buildings constructed on the campus in the early 1960s. The History Department is located on the 4th floor.