Senate of Canada Building earns Civic Trust Award
Representatives from Public Services and Procurement Canada, Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects were recognized with a 2020 Civic Trust Award in Manchester, England, for their work on the Senate of Canada Building.
The Civic Trust Awards are the longest-running awards program for the built environment that recognize international projects demonstrating excellence in architecture, sustainability, inclusiveness and universal design. The Senate of Canada Building was a finalist in two of the three categories: Civic Trust Award and Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design. In the latter category, it was the only project in North America to be recognized.
"This award demonstrates our ability to successfully deliver complex rehabilitation projects which support the evolving needs of a 21st-century Parliament,” said Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand. “The Senate of Canada Building is now a state-of-the-art facility that features accessibility and environmental stewardship at its core. I am proud of the work that was done to restore and modernize this historic building to the benefit of all Canadians."
What was once Ottawa's central train station now houses the Senate of Canada in a restored and modernized facility. Before its renewal, the building was in poor condition at the end of its usable life. Major building systems were all replaced, the exterior masonry was restored, the structure was reinforced and the interior was completely modernized to support a modern Parliament. Heritage elements such as the vaulted plaster ceiling, the brass windows and columns were all restored to their original glory.
The judges called the project, “a breath-taking restoration with highly refined new build intervention which knits the existing architecture with serious skill."
"The architects behind the Senate of Canada Building balanced conservation and innovation to transform a century-old landmark into a modern home for Canada's Upper Chamber,” said George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate of Canada. “The Senate of Canada is proud to call this building its interim home and to see the teams involved recognized for their excellence."
Accessibility and sustainability were key priorities for this project. The restored and modernized Senate of Canada Building includes barrier-free access throughout and accessible elevators and washrooms. Original building materials were conserved wherever possible and more than 90 percent of construction project waste was diverted from landfills.
"This project challenged us to redefine historic spaces in a contemporary way, introduce a new program in a heritage building and convey Canadian identity through contemporary interpretations of our national symbols and iconography,” said Martin Davidson
Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects. “It is an honour to be recognized at an international level with a Civic Trust Award."
To date, restoration and modernization projects in the Parliamentary Precinct have received 60 local, national and international awards recognizing excellence in such areas as architectural design, sustainability and heritage conservation. The Senate of Canada Building in particular has received a total of 10 awards since its completion in 2018.
The restoration project created approximately 1,500 jobs for construction workers, skilled tradespeople, engineers, architects and other suppliers.