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 - The New House of Commons

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“In a legislature, even aesthetic elements carry important weight. Centre Block architect John A. Pearson envisioned a design that bears a heavy symbolic burden, with allegories physically built into the building — the central pillar of the rotunda, for example, anchors a recurring ‘ship of state’ metaphor, with Poseidon carved at its base.” West Block on the contrary “features clean lines and flat planes, stripped of all overt representation of people or place,”(Paranjape). According to John Parkinson, iconography is incredibly important in legislature, as it reminds the citizens of the part they play, and strengthens the sense of democracy. It has been argued that the lack of physical icons and symbols in West Block will make Canadians feel distant from our politics. (Paranjape, “Will the West Block Chamber Change Parliamentary Culture?”)

However, the new chamber is filled with symbolism and meaning, though it must be analyzed deeper to be fully understood. The most noticeable is the steel supports for the glass roof. As seen in the figure above, they are designed to look like steel trees. This, according to the architect Georges Drolet, was done to evoke the feeling of nature. As mention earlier, the space was once completely outdoors and exposed to all the elements. The openness, green carpet, and tree like structures in the new design are meant to remind people of our country’s past. This is particularly important in today’s politics as reconciliation is a major theme of this government. Immediately outside the chamber, in the foyer, are many paintings, and works of art that pertain to Canadian history. Since members of parliament will be walking through this space on their way into the chamber, they will experience the same effect as if these symbols were located in the chamber itself.  (Ottawa Citizen, “West Block's House of Commons”)

The windows that once looked into the courtyard now open into the chamber and gallery. Although they are frosted, they still convey the illusion that someone is constantly watching. This, combined with the viewing areas and public gallery, is likely to remind members of parliament of their role in serving the public and to encourage disciplined conduct. 

The new acoustic properties are expected to have an impact on debate in the chamber. The stone walls and openness allow for sound to carry further, and will therefore permit comments and heckles to be heard more clearly, and become more effective. This will probably increase the amount of noise and debate when parliament is sitting. However, it might also cause the Speaker of the House to be more attentive to these interruptions and force him or her to intervene more quickly. (Paranjape, “Will the West Block Chamber Change Parliamentary Culture?”)

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