ARTH3810 2019F Class Projects (Publication) Main Menu The Tent Room at Rideau Hall Kyle Kreutner, Page 1 of 6 The Webley Shacks: Unconventional Furniture Use in the Context of Ceaseless Surveillance Jose Bawagan Imperial Theater By Munawar Mobin Keagan F - CSTM Sound History Introduction The Mayfair Theatre Simran S. An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients 144 Loretta Avenue North, Aidan MacNaull Aidan MacNaull 144 Loretta Avenue North West Block - Canada's New House of Commons by Devon Rudyk Rideau Street Chapel: The Effects of Relocation on the Experience of an Interior by Ty Follis The Church of St. Andrew's Ottawa David Bastien-Allard Making the Past Present: Union Station Restoration – A Political Facelift? by Vivian Astroff Delegation of the Ismali Imamat The National Arts Centre: Reflecting on its Past and Present Saint Paul University - A Shift in Values Reem Siage Film in Ottawa: The Mayfair theatre by Giovanna Maria Sang CGM -An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients The Chateau Laurier By Jessica El-Ghazal Reusable Space: The Senate of Canada Building by Syenne Holder National Gallery of Canada - Seeing the Colonnade Through a Semiological Lens by Ricky Tong Ricky THE OTTAWA STATION Ehidiamen Iyamabo, HomePage

RUD - Introduction

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Canada’s West Block was constructed more than one hundred years ago to support the work of the Government of Canada, though recently, the building has assumed a more central role in Canadian politics. This comes after  Center Block was closed for much needed renovations; a project that will likely take more than a decade to complete. During this period of renovation and restoration, Center Block will be closed and will no longer be the home of Canada’s Parliament. The main occupants of Centre Block, The House of Commons and The Senate both had to be relocated.  The Senate has been moved to the former Union Train Station which underwent a major renovation.  The House of Commons has been relocated to the West Block courtyard. To make this possible, West Block had to go through a thorough modernization project, which included installing a roof over the courtyard and adding a visitor’s center for improved public access. (Public Services and Procurement Canada)

The courtyard itself was chosen because of its location close to Center Block and the large amount of space at the architect’s disposal. By adding a roof over the courtyard, the amount of useable space in the building more than doubled. The roof also removes the seasonality of the courtyard. In the harsh Canadian climate, outdoor courtyards are only useable during the summer and parts of the spring and fall. With the addition of a roof, the courtyard can provide year-round access. The new chamber now houses the ‘seats’ for members of parliament; a public gallery and a dedicated area for journalists and media. In the figure above, the new layout can be seen in use. The chamber sits at the center of the space, just below the public and media viewing gallery. The masonry façade and green copper roof of the old court yard are still visible from the chamber within. The most noticeable new feature is the glass roof and the steel supports that hold up the roof. (Ottawa Citizen, “West Block's House of Commons”)

This new House of Commons is an immense step forward for Canadian politics. The design draws on features of other notable parliaments and courtyards such as the German Reichstag and British Museum, while also maintaining the original symbolism of Canadian and British parliament. Some people have expressed hope that the new location will translate into a positive change within the house. The idea behind this is that parliamentarians will be more mindful of those that have come before them and the future generations that will be affected by their decisions. 
 

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