[umbria27]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I'm talking about putting a concert hall in the existing building. Half the building is under the office tower, you can't just tear down the original. Concert halls don't require windows, so the shell is perfect. The size is perfect. As for the style of the building, it could be dressed up in a REALLY neat kind of way with come creative lighting and paint.

I don't disagree that the current architecture could be reimagined with some post modern colour and lighting effects, but you've chosen a telling example for your comparison. The National Theatre has two things the current Ottawa library does not have.
A. a location along the Thames with views of Westminster, St Paul's and three historic bridges
B. a position alongside other cultural and entertainment magnets. From there you are steps to the London Eye, the Dali Exhibit, the Tate Modern Gallery, the Royal Festival Hall and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
That's a far cry from Metcalf and Laurier.
It's another argument for clustering cultural institutions.