![\"Listening](\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/ottawa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2016\/10\/small_sm-600x338.jpg\")
The city\u2019s public art program is constantly announcing new competitions and unveiling new works. New bike paths and better network connections are popping up slowly but surely. Indie music festivals and a proliferation of small music venues are growing the local music scene and appreciation for that scene. Microgrant programs such as Awesome Ottawa, Soup Ottawa, Just Change are seeding inspiring and quirky projects. Startups and local businesses are booming.<\/p>\n
But when we are talking \u201cbig\u201d, something about our \u201cbig\u201d projects is usually actually a pretty small middleground controversy. If there is going to be controversy no matter what, we should really ask what we want to fight about. Should it really be about whether you think the architecture of the 1910s was prettier than the architecture of the 2010s.<\/p>\n
The Chateau Laurier addition is far from radical, innovative, challenging, or disruptive architecture. I actually wish it were. It detracts and distracts from the Chateau and Parliamentary District without offering any significant or meaningful contribution in its place.<\/p>\n
Protecting the heritage character of the Parliamentary District is far from absolute. To the contrary, its heritage is eclectic and ever-changing. The National Arts Centre (1969), the Bank of Canada (1979), the National Gallery (1988), and the Museum of History (1989) all challenged the traditional heritage and architectural style of the Parliamentary District. They were all contemporary additions that contributed something of their own time to the evolving heritage of the district.<\/p>\n
The argument is not really about architectural style. Paying close attention to the quality, values, and creativity rather than any particular style expressed in each of the past examples leaves you with a pretty remarkable impression about Ottawa\u2019s landmark district.<\/p>\n
There is the heroic scale and dedication to cultural identity of the 60s; the elegance and mastery of the 1970s; the playful quirkiness and symbolism of the 80s. As an eclectic set, they also represent the work of some of Canada\u2019s most celebrated architects and firms: ARCOP, Erickson, Safdie, and Cardinal.<\/p>\n
We can certainly say that the Chateau Laurier addition along with the NAC and BoC renovations are contemporary architectural products of our time. But it is, in my opinion, a depressing rather than enthusiastic statement. Our grand architectural imprints of this decade look like shopping malls, condos, and car dealerships.<\/p>\n
Rather than obsessing about respecting the past, what about respecting the future? Is this really the best we have to offer?<\/p>\n
But because I would rather end on a positive note, my hope is that perhaps maybe the real legacy we leave will require that history not just consider our big landmarks, obvious statements, and award-winning architecture. If history looks at the community involvement, at the small projects and day to day little improvements, maybe we won\u2019t come off looking so bad. Maybe generosity, passion, mindfulness, and community will be imprinted in our mark on the city.<\/p>\n
My Jewish New Year resolution will be to use this column to write about the small and amazing Ottawa-class projects, programs, initiatives, artists, creators, and community groups doing great things in and for our city. Shana Tova!<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
yowLAB is Ottawa\u2019s architecture and design ideas lab. UrbSanity is co-published by Centretown Buzz.
\nAll photos by Sarah Gelbard<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"