Image of the Moment: A eulogy for the Sir John Carling building

Image: Demolition of the Sir John Carling Building
Location: Carling Avenue, Ottawa
Date of photo: July 13, 2014
Photographer: Jeff Nadeau

A eulogy for the Sir John Carling Building

The Sir John Carling Building of 930 Carling Avenue was imploded in a controlled demolition at 7:00 am on Sunday, July 13.

It was completed in 1967 based on a design by Ottawa architect Hart Massey. Massey’s prominence as a Canadian designer was linked to his role in bringing Modern architecture to the highly traditional architectural landscape of mid-century Ottawa. The Carling Building was designated a “recognized” federal heritage building by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office in 2004. It was noteworthy as a transitional design, combining 1950s International Style massing and the more articulated concrete facade of later styles. It was an also an example of the decentralized federal office campuses recommended in the 1950 Greber Plan.

The Carling Building housed the offices of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for 42 years. The west annex will remain and eventually revert to AAFC custody.