General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[kwoldtimer]

I kind of like it, although the wishbone dormer/mansard above the main entrance is out of whack (too narrow and, for some reason, too short).

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Don't these throwback designs break some architectural rules or does that only apply to additions?

I believe that with specific to the Chateau Laurier's addition, though I wouldn't be surprised if it applied to other buildings of significant historical significance, as materials, building codes and bylaws, construction methods and how to design buildings have changed enough that additions copying old styles will look pastiche/ fake, or not fit well enough with the original that it can cheapen the architecture.

In this case, the entire build is completely new while trying to copy old styles. It's sort of a good example that with today's bylaws, building code requirements, and that architectural education doesn't teach how to design like historical architects designed. It's usually permitted to do this, but it's frowned upon in the architecture profession.

[Mille Sabords]

Originally Posted by Urbanarchit

In this case, the entire build is completely new while trying to copy old styles. It's sort of a good example that with today's bylaws, building code requirements, and that architectural education doesn't teach how to design like historical architects designed. It's usually permitted to do this, but it's frowned upon in the architecture profession.

Well then the architectural profession needs a kick in the ass, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with this building and what it's trying to do. It is utter arrogance to call this a pastiche. The use of classical styles is and has always been legitimate, no matter what the current small minds of architecture would have us believe.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by Mille Sabords

Well then the architectural profession needs a kick in the ass, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with this building and what it's trying to do. It is utter arrogance to call this a pastiche. The use of classical styles is and has always been legitimate, no matter what the current small minds of architecture would have us believe.

How is it arrogant when it is, by the very definition of the word, pastiche? Interestingly, all throughout history the average person has hated and opposed all new architecture, especially all those that are so beloved nowadays by those who despise modern architecture in favour of historical architecture. It's not the architects with the small minds.

[Kitchissippi]

Practically much of the exterior additions they're doing to Parliament Hill mimics the original style. None of this stuff at the visitor centre existed until a couple of years ago and no one is screaming "Fake!"



Now why can't they do the same thing at the Chateau Laurier?

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Don't these throwback designs break some architectural rules or does that only apply to additions?

There.

Is.

No.

Such.

"Rule".

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by Harley613

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/column...tawa-bus-lanes-can-open-a-green-corridor



What an idiotic idea.

Don't let Uhuniau see that Sparks Street green space idea.

[danishh]

Originally Posted by Harley613

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/column...tawa-bus-lanes-can-open-a-green-corridor



What an idiotic idea.

there's also already an Albert/Slater renewal project under way, so if that's the great idea it's at least a year too late.

[WhipperSnapper]

http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?searchID=87160937

anything missing or wrong?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?searchID=87160937

anything missing or wrong?

Here are a few off the top of my head.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=151047

Shorter tower:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=197036

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=207513

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=182878

This one in Hull.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=191120&page=10

Thank you!

[WhipperSnapper]

Thank you

[Mille Sabords]

Originally Posted by Urbanarchit

How is it arrogant when it is, by the very definition of the word, pastiche? Interestingly, all throughout history the average person has hated and opposed all new architecture, especially all those that are so beloved nowadays by those who despise modern architecture in favour of historical architecture. It's not the architects with the small minds.

To your points:

(1) The use of the word "pastiche" is arrogant. Every new building is, by definition, new. It's not "copying" anything. It is its own new building on its own site, using an architectural style of its choice. In this case, the style used happens to not be a "modernist" style. It is utter arrogance, and intellectual dictatorship, to dare suggest that we should only use one style or range of styles.

(2) I don't think that, all throughout history, the average person has "hated and opposed" all new architecture. There has always been ongoing discussion and debate over the architectural merits, quality, statement, agility, mastery of style, etc., of buildings based on varying degrees of architectural knowledge and understanding.
What Modernism changed, and disrupted, is the two-headed cancer we now have to try to excise:
- first, the removal of context from typical architectural partees (which is utter arrogance in and of itself). The diktat of "form follows function" has to die, period.
- second, the tantrumy, infantile refusal of any type of architectural ornamentation (which is what comprises about 95% of what "average people" typically like in a building, even when they don't have much architectural culture or literacy). Modernism is the deception of minimalism posing as some form of morally superior "beauty" and, I'm sorry, it doesn't fool anyone any more. Modernism in itself is not even "modern" anymore - it's seven or eight decades old.

This is not to say that there can't be nice-looking Modernist, or modern buildings. There are. Those are not the majority, but they're there. Whereas, invariably, you take almost any building built before 1940 and, if you threaten to demolish it, close to 100% of people will say "no! they don't build them like that any more!" What does that tell you?

What it tells me is that typical "modern" buildings are seen as boring boxes, at best, and ugly eyesores in way too many cases. To take a recent, high-profile hotel addition as an example, if an architect needs to explain to you why his design is "brilliant", then it isn't. It's an arrogant vanity project that raises its big middle finger at the rest of society.

If a modern, or Modernist building, can fulfill the exacting, demanding aesthetic and contextual criteria that we should expect out of architecture for a national capital, no problem. However, to dictate that ONLY modern styles should be used for new buildings is the utter arrogance I'm talking about. Why? Who says we have to erase three millenia of architectural history, learning, reinterpretations and links to our culture and past? Who decided it ONLY has to be one style from now on? That's arrogant. And the use of the word "pastiche" to insult buildings who dare to not use a Modern style is part of this arrogance.

[Kitchissippi]

People keep on confusing contemporary architecture with Modernism. I wouldn’t consider anything built after the 1970s genuine Modernist. In reality a lot of notable buildings lately attempt to be giant objects that have little to do with their function, or are clad in superficial finishes and patterns that are merely applied extruded graphic design. Nothing wrong with this, but these were the very practices the Modernists were rejecting, claiming that classic architecture was useless decoration.

There was a time when Gothic architecture sought to replace Romanesque architecture viewing the latter as structurally redundant. It was the “modern” of its time.

[TransitZilla]

New on Devapps:

367 Preston / 450 Rochester (the big parking lot south of Preston Square).

"Arnon Corporation is proposing to construct a mixed-use, residential development at 450 Rochester Street. The development is a two-phase project with Phase 1 consisting of 295 residential rental units, approximately 3,671 m2 of retail on the ground floor with the intention to lease approximately 2,333 m2 of it for a grocery store, and 1,022 m2 of retail and commercial on the second and third floors, fronting on Preston Street. Phase 2 consists of a 26-storey residential building with 245 units, and 557 m2 of retail. "

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

New on Devapps:

367 Preston / 450 Rochester (the big parking lot south of Preston Square).

"Arnon Corporation is proposing to construct a mixed-use, residential development at 450 Rochester Street. The development is a two-phase project with Phase 1 consisting of 295 residential rental units, approximately 3,671 m2 of retail on the ground floor with the intention to lease approximately 2,333 m2 of it for a grocery store, and 1,022 m2 of retail and commercial on the second and third floors, fronting on Preston Street. Phase 2 consists of a 26-storey residential building with 245 units, and 557 m2 of retail. "

Designed by Hobin. I like how the proposal steps down from Booth to Preston. The floor plans show a "food store" and "liquor store", both badly needed for the area.

https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__BODVG3

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

People keep on confusing contemporary architecture with Modernism. I wouldn’t consider anything built after the 1970s genuine Modernist. In reality a lot of notable buildings lately attempt to be giant objects that have little to do with their function, or are clad in superficial finishes and patterns that are merely applied extruded graphic design. Nothing wrong with this, but these were the very practices the Modernists were rejecting, claiming that classic architecture was useless decoration.

There was a time when Gothic architecture sought to replace Romanesque architecture viewing the latter as structurally redundant. It was the “modern” of its time.

432 Park Avenue would like to have a word with you!

[IntoTheCore]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

New on Devapps:

367 Preston / 450 Rochester (the big parking lot south of Preston Square).

"Arnon Corporation is proposing to construct a mixed-use, residential development at 450 Rochester Street. The development is a two-phase project with Phase 1 consisting of 295 residential rental units, approximately 3,671 m2 of retail on the ground floor with the intention to lease approximately 2,333 m2 of it for a grocery store, and 1,022 m2 of retail and commercial on the second and third floors, fronting on Preston Street. Phase 2 consists of a 26-storey residential building with 245 units, and 557 m2 of retail. "

Woo! I've been waiting for this parking lot to be transformed since moving into the neighbourhood six years ago.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

New on Devapps:

367 Preston / 450 Rochester (the big parking lot south of Preston Square).

"Arnon Corporation is proposing to construct a mixed-use, residential development at 450 Rochester Street. The development is a two-phase project with Phase 1 consisting of 295 residential rental units, approximately 3,671 m2 of retail on the ground floor with the intention to lease approximately 2,333 m2 of it for a grocery store, and 1,022 m2 of retail and commercial on the second and third floors, fronting on Preston Street. Phase 2 consists of a 26-storey residential building with 245 units, and 557 m2 of retail. "

I just created a dedicated thread for this project over here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=241082

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Centre MP McKenna dons hard hat, vows to pick up pace of infrastructure projects

By: The Canadian Press
Published: Nov 28, 2019 7:14am EST

Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna says her top priority as the country's new infrastructure minister is to get projects built quickly.

The Liberal government has committed more than $180 billion over 12 years to improving roads, bridges, public transit and other needed infrastructure across Canada, but it has been criticized for failing to get the money out the door and shovels in the ground.

Among the priorities she announced during her campaign was a revitalization of Ottawa’s Prince of Wales bridge for use by pedestrians and cyclists. At that time, she used the recently opened Flora footbridge, which crosses the Rideau Canal, as proof of her ability to get projects finished.

McKenna, in her first speech since being named to the job last week, told municipal leaders Wednesday that accelerating the pace of projects is the first of three main priorities as she settles into her new role.

"Let me just be clear about my priorities," she told the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "One: My first priority is getting things built quickly that matter to the lives of Canadians."

McKenna underscored her point by donning a white hard hat, emblazoned with the government of Canada logo.

"I look forward to working with all of you to get to work to building a better Canada for all Canadians all across this great country."

McKenna said getting projects off the ground quickly will require all levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal – to work together.

"We're all partners in this. It's our job, everyone in this room, to ensure that all orders of government work for people. Otherwise, we'll see the continued erosion of the faith of Canadians in all of us."

McKenna's tone was much more conciliatory than that of the Liberal platform in the recent election. It took a hard line on what the Liberals claimed was provincial foot-dragging on identifying priority infrastructure projects that are eligible for federal funding. And it warned that a re-elected Liberal government would take matters into its own hands if necessary.

"Some provinces are playing political games – delaying project approvals and putting good jobs and our quality of life at risk," the platform asserted.

It vowed that a re-elected Liberal government would require all provinces and territories to identify and approve their long-term infrastructure priorities within two years. Federal infrastructure funding that hasn't been designated for specific projects by the end of 2021 would be given directly to municipalities, through a top-up of the federal gas-tax fund, to spend on projects they choose.

McKenna made it clear Wednesday that such a measure would be a last resort, repeatedly emphasizing the need for collaboration and co-operation among all levels of government.

"I'm very confident that we can get things done," she said after her speech. "My commitment is to get things built but to do it collaboratively."

Among her other top priorities, McKenna told municipal leaders she wants to ensure the benefits of infrastructure investments are distributed fairly across the country, including in rural and remote areas, where she cited the example of federal funding to help provide high-speed internet service.

McKenna, environment minister throughout the Trudeau government's first mandate, said she also wants to ensure investments are made in projects that will help communities combat climate change and become more resilient in the face of increasing floods, wildfires and extreme weather events.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh spoke to municipal leaders earlier Wednesday. He announced that he has appointed rookie MP Taylor Bachrach, a former mayor of Smithers, B.C., as his party's infrastructure critic.

"As a former mayor for a rural community, Taylor understands first-hand the struggles municipalities are faced with in delivering for their residents," Singh said in a statement later.

– With files from OBJ staff

https://obj.ca/article/ottawa-centre-mp-...t-vows-pick-pace-infrastructure-projects

[Jayday23]

Was looking at images at Councillor Fleury's twitter and i stumbled upon this:


What is that future massive Plouffe Park development that stretches from Gladstone to Somerset on the left? Is that part of the gladstone village development?