That library looks amazing, but probably not reasonable in scope or size for a city our size. Beijing has over 20 million people. Our library is going to look pretty sweet, in a less grandiose sort of way....
This project is weird. It's not even downtown and will be tallest building in the city. I guess are problem is we have people who are more about making more profit rather than ego. (I don't think we can say it's exactly charity to the city to build a high quality building like this) This is also a rental so it lets them be completely delusional about how much premium people will pay for quality.
Yes, sarcasm aside that is a really smart looking podium. I like it when a building cuts away from the street corner and that round podium is both practical and fantastic looking.
I actually stumbled across this building a little while ago while randomly spelunking google streetview.
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I don't understand how communism works.
That library looks amazing, but probably not reasonable in scope or size for a city our size. Beijing has over 20 million people. Our library is going to look pretty sweet, in a less grandiose sort of way....
Is it not also the National Archives for 40 million folks?
(Combining was a mistake imo, from a National Archives POV)
Is it not also the National Archives for 40 million folks?
(Combining was a mistake imo, from a National Archives POV)
I can't imagine they are moving the entire Archives here, probably just the public facing part while keeping the vast majority of the operations on Wellington and their other facilities across the region.
Without the National Archives, this project would never have happened. That said, it is a pretty small project when considering its dual role and comparing to say Calgary.
Yes, I imagine that the LAC will move the resources most used for genealogical research to this facility. With fewer people trapsing into their main facility, their collection will be safer.
The main branch of the OPL already had The Ottawa Room, and a fairly good collection of useful historical material for genetic researchers. By combining those materials, it simplifies the researcher task. (It is too bad that they didn’t contact the Mormons to have their resources moved from the Prince of Wales Drive building.) (I doubt that the Province would want to move their records from Toronto, however, so that it could have been more of a one-stop location – potentially increasing tourism in Ottawa.)
Yes, I imagine that the LAC will move the resources most used for genealogical research to this facility. With fewer people trapsing into their main facility, their collection will be safer.
Most of the LAC collection is stored offsite in the Gatineau facility, not Wellington, and it's not open stack in any event.
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Enjoy my taxes, Orleans (and Kanata?).
Most of the LAC collection is stored offsite in the Gatineau facility, not Wellington, and it's not open stack in any event.
Thanks for that information. In that case, I’ll rephrase my statement to “With fewer people trapsing into their Wellington facility, things in that building will be safer.”
I could add that it will also mean less wear and tear on that old Wellington building. But it does mean that fewer people will see its splendor. I don’t like to hide these old ‘jewels’ from public view. New buildings are not adorned like the old ones were. Once the move is done, spend some money refurbishing the building and at least open it up to the public for the annual Doors Open.
I would just point out that rennovictions are happening at a relatively regular pace across the parliamentary precincts. How long until we see a full gutting of the Wellington site requiring the staff to de-camp for 5+ years from their building?
I'd say this is great future-proofing for LAC to have their public-facing, downtown-accessible storefront remain open through the 20+ year life cycle forecast.
How much floor space is available for LAC at the new library? You'd need a service desk, temporary stacks for deliveries/drop offs, several meeting rooms, a small theatre and back-of-house staff offices.
These are proposed in Calgary. Beautiful, love the 2 tower design, mostly glass, slightly different heights, lighting on the crown, step-down podium & plaza. Urgh, why can't we get anything this nice in Ottawa?
Curious, in your opinion, where would you envision a project like this in Ottawa?
I'm almost a year late to the discussion above about Library and Archives moving from their Wellington St building, but wanted to jump in to say that, during Doors Open, I was told by staff there that they will be fully vacating that building once Adisoke is ready. Apparently the building is owned by PSPC (a frustrating landlord to have, according to them), and the folks I spoke to have no idea what will become of it.
It's such a spectacular building, it seems like a shame to not have it continue to be semi-publicly accessible.
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