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ARTH3810 2019F Class Projects (Publication)Main MenuThe Tent Room at Rideau HallKyle Kreutner, Page 1 of 6The Webley Shacks: Unconventional Furniture Use in the Context of Ceaseless SurveillanceJose BawaganImperial Theater By Munawar MobinKeagan F - CSTM Sound HistoryIntroductionThe Mayfair TheatreSimran S.An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients144 Loretta Avenue North, Aidan MacNaullAidan MacNaull 144 Loretta Avenue NorthWest Block - Canada's New House of Commonsby Devon RudykRideau Street Chapel: The Effects of Relocation on the Experience of an Interiorby Ty FollisThe Church of St. Andrew's OttawaDavid Bastien-AllardMaking the Past Present: Union Station Restoration – A Political Facelift?by Vivian AstroffDelegation of the Ismali ImamatThe National Arts Centre: Reflecting on its Past and PresentSaint Paul University - A Shift in ValuesReem SiageFilm in Ottawa: The Mayfair theatreby Giovanna Maria SangCGM -An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on PatientsThe Chateau LaurierBy Jessica El-GhazalReusable Space: The Senate of Canada Buildingby Syenne HolderNational Gallery of Canada - Seeing the Colonnade Through a Semiological Lens by Ricky TongRickyTHE OTTAWA STATIONEhidiamen Iyamabo, HomePageAVRC81ff8dad33b7fe77eee9a543209e890531c75438
West Block's House of Commons, MPs' new home for the next decade
12019-11-29T06:15:29-08:00RUD - The New House of Commons3plain2019-12-06T13:41:17-08:00“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 thefeeling 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?”)
