Steeling the show!
It is all about the steel! Did you know over 650 tons of structural steel and 16,000 bolts are being used to build Ādisōke? Much of this has gone into the construction of the beautiful feature staircases.
Timing and precision on a structure of this magnitude are everything, it took 21,000 hours to fabricate and install the structural steel being used for Ādisōke.
The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) Awards are given to projects that demonstrate innovation, complexity and originality in steel construction. Ādisōke was recently awarded the Steel Design Award for 2024, acknowledging the complexity and beauty of the feature staircases. This award recognizes project teams who showcase excellence in creating works and projects using steel construction – through complexity, innovation, beauty, uniqueness, and originality, amongst many other noteworthy attributes.
Hundreds of nominations are received each year, and this was Ādisōke’s time to shine and steel the show!
Photo 1: Image of the facility’s interior showcasing the feature staircase and completed structural steel work.
Rick Hansen, Annual AccessAbility Day
On May 29, as part of the 22nd Annual AccessAbility Day, the City of Ottawa announced that the Rick Hansen Foundation has awarded Ādisōke gold certification for its pre-construction/design phase. With features such as all-gender washrooms, interior ramps, sensory rooms, central glass elevators, and more, Ādisōke’s design demonstrates our dedication to welcoming every user.
This achievement highlights the dedication of Ottawa Public Library, Library and Archives Canada and the City of Ottawa, to making Ādisōke a space that is accessible to all.
As part of the annual AccessAbility Day celebrations, a keynote address was given by Rick Hansen, Paralympian, humanitarian, and Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. Rick, recognized for his on-going contributions, was given the day’s Proclamation.
Photo 2: Pictured from left: Councillor Marty Carr, Deputy Mayor and Council Liaison to the Accessibility Advisory Committee; Sonia Bebbington, Chief Librarian, Ottawa Public Library; Leslie Weir, Libraries and Archives Canada; Tara Blasioli, Manager, Design and Construction Facilities – Ādisōke; Rick Hansen; Holl Ellingwood, Vice Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee; and Megan Richards, Program Manager, Accessibility, receiving the gold certification for its pre-construction/design phase from the Rick Hansen Foundation (May 2025) .
Upcoming work
Ādisōke is alive with progress, energy, and transformation.
Outside, the building is taking shape. Finishing touches continue on the roof, while intricate wood and stonework are adding character to the façade of this landmark facility. Solar panels have been installed along the exterior. Their appearance can shift, depending on the intensity and angle of the sun. Some days they may appear bright and iridescent, while on others they look darker and matte.
Inside, the heartbeat of the facility is being wired and connected through mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. Intricate custom-made millwork is underway and will envelope much of the interior, bringing warmth and detail to every corner.
As summer unfolds, so does the landscape. With Ottawa’s sunny season in full swing, the outdoor grounds will be sculpted and shaped, turning the surrounding area into a welcoming, natural extension of Ādisōke’s vision.
Photo 3: Close-up photo of the Ādisōke roof, where finishing touches continue, and the building is taking shape (July 2025).
Traffic Impacts
Ādisōke is already starting to deliver on the promise of becoming a model for sustainable buildings in Canada. Connecting to the federal government’s district energy heating and air-conditioning system is part of creating a clean, state-of-the-art cultural facility.
Construction started on Wednesday, July 2, around the Ādisōke project to support the connection to the district energy system.
Details are as follows:
- Commissioner Street, from Pooley’s Bridge to Wellington Street, will be closed until early winter.
- The temporary pedestrian crossing on Commissioner Street has been removed.
- Pooley’s Bridge, for pedestrians and cyclists, will be closed temporarily in both directions, expected until late September.
- Signage and detours are in place.
Respect. Patience. Safety for all.
Construction is a necessary and familiar part of life in Ottawa. As the busy construction season continues, the City is launching a public awareness campaign to promote mutual respect and safety in construction zones: Respect. Patience. Safety for All!
This campaign highlights the critical importance of mutual respect and safety in construction zones. We all share the responsibility of keeping our roads, neighbourhoods, and workspaces safe during construction. That means slowing down, following detours, and staying patient.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day which is a day to honour and celebrate the diverse traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Celebrated on the summer solstice, the day invites opportunities for renewal, connection and celebration, while also honouring the deep spiritual and cultural significance the summer solstice holds for many Indigenous Peoples.
Ādisōke is built on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinābe People. The name Ādisōke means “storytelling” in Anishinābemowin Algonquin language.
The land surrounding the Chaudière Falls is a sacred meeting place for the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation and other First Nations, associated with a portage and trade route for Indigenous people along the Kichi Zìbì Ottawa River.
The idea of a community public library and national library and archives on this site offers a profound opportunity to examine the nature of knowledge transfer and learning that will take place in the building, and how these practices relate to the local Anishinābe Algonquin People as well as Indigenous communities in Ottawa and across the country.
So much of the work being done on this project is the result of meaningful engagement with our Host Nation partners. Design workshops were held with the communities of Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
For the architects and members of the Ādisōke Project Team, engagement with Indigenous communities is of the highest importance. The Project Team consulted, collaborated, and engaged significantly with the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation, as well as Indigenous communities in Ottawa and across the country. The identity, architectural design, and vision of the project has been made richer by the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge.
To review a timeline of past engagement, visit About | ādisōke.
Storey-telling series
We are sharing the details of each space within Ādisōke, one “storey” at a time!
Our “storey-telling” series continues to showcase some of the exciting features that will be offered on each level of the facility.
Check out our latest storey-telling articles on Ādisōke.ca:
- Adult Fiction Section and Reading Area | ādisōke
- OPL Community Connections | ādisōke
- Music Instrument Library and Rehearsal Room | ādisōke
- Adult Non-Fiction Section | ādisōke
- Heritage Lounge | ādisōke
- Research Room | ādisōke
- Heritage Workshop | ādisōke
Be sure to check back regularly to learn more about the other spaces that will be found on each floor!