Block 2 design competition winner announced
A Toronto design firm working in conjunction with an English firm has been chosen to redesign a key piece of real estate in Ottawa’s Parliamentary Precinct.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Minister Filomena Tassi announced on May 16 that Zeidler Architecture Inc. working in association with David Chipperfield Architects had been selected as the winning team in the architectural design competition for the redevelopment of Block 2.
Block 2 is the city block directly facing Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. It is bounded by Metcalfe, Wellington, O'Connor and Sparks streets.
“Congratulations to the Block 2 design competition winner for their creative and innovative design,” said Tassi. “The redevelopment of Block 2 will transform this mix of aging buildings into modern, inclusive, sustainable, secure and accessible accommodations for the Parliament of Canada.”
The winning design concept, chosen by an independent jury, blended heritage-designated buildings with modern landscaped courtyards and a public square facing the Peace Tower.
The redesigned Block 2 will provide office space for the Senate and the House of Commons and will allow for the future consolidation of parliamentary accommodations, including space for the Library of Parliament. It will also include renovated retail space in the Sparks Street Mall.
Two of the 11 buildings in Block 2, and an infill space in between, have been dedicated for the development of an Indigenous Peoples’ Space.
The work is expected to cost around $430 million.
PSPC expects the work to transform a mix of functionally obsolete buildings into an innovative complex. It will now enter into negotiations with the Zeidler/Chipperfield team to establish a contract so that the design concept can be further refined. Construction is anticipated to begin in 18 to 24 months.
The Block 2 Architectural Design Competition was launched in spring 2021, and was overseen by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The competition jury initially narrowed 11 design proposals to six, who presented their designs to the public last month. The jury deliberated later in April, and provided PSPC with their official recommendation for the top three finalists, including the winning design.
All design teams in the competition had at least one Canadian component.