Workshops rescheduled for new Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada joint facility
Registration is now open for the rescheduled design workshops on Spaces and Relationships in the new Ottawa Public Library (OPL) and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) joint facility, which is set to open in the heart of the National Capital in 2024. The workshops were postponed earlier this month due to the state of emergency and flooding in the National Capital region.
At this workshop, participants will be asked to inspire a design that is flexible and can adapt to customer expectations for generations to come. Specifically, they will provide input on important considerations about the location of the major spaces within the building and how they relate to each other, access and views.
Participants can also take a fresh look at what LAC and OPL services will be offered in the new facility and what the location of each means for the relationship between the two partners.
The architects will also report back on what they heard during the first phase of engagement, Building Blocks, and how this has informed the development of the design.
Bring your inspiration to this exciting project! Register now at Inspire555.ca for one of three design workshops:
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Place: University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, Room Huguette Labelle 112, 550 Cumberland Street
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Place: University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, Room Huguette Labelle 112, 550 Cumberland Street
Date: Monday, June 3, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Place: Pellan Room, Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
Canadians from coast to coast can provide input online at Inspire555.ca starting May 21.
The workshops are part of a year-long local and national engagement process to inspire the design of an iconic facility destined to become an attraction for all visitors to the Capital and a community gathering place. The Inspire555 engagement series includes design workshops, pop-up events, and online engagement activities to inspire this new landmark destination. Later this year, further phases of engagement will focus on Sustainability, Iconic Features and Public and Indigenous Art.
In March, 800 people took part in workshops and online activities to provide input on preliminary concepts for the facility as well as preferred viewpoints and site features. At the upcoming sessions, the architects will report back on what they heard, and demonstrate how public input is being incorporated into the design.
The architects and representatives from the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada also visited the Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin communities to meet with and learn from Elders and community members, and to share knowledge about the project. Additional meetings, design workshops and knowledge sharing events are planned with these Algonquin communities, and with local urban and national Indigenous organizations.
About the new Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada joint facility
Set to open in 2024, the joint facility will become a landmark destination built on the shared values of the partner institutions. The facility will deliver a rich customer experience through the Ottawa Public Library’s Central Library and Library and Archives Canada’s public services, exhibitions and events, which showcase Canada’s heritage. The joint programming and services will make this a truly unique offering in Canada. It will be a modern, iconic facility that will respond to rapidly developing technology, growing customer expectations and changing demographics.