A four-unit condo development on Elm Street has been given an Urban Design Award from the City of Ottawa.
Four Centretown projects, including the Canadian Museum of Nature renovation and an innovative condo development in Little Italy, have received Urban Design Awards from the City of Ottawa.
The two projects were honoured with awards of excellence at the biannual competition earlier this month. They will proceed to the Royal Architectural Institute’s national competition as Ottawa’s submission, says the City of Ottawa website. Cornerstone Housing for Women and the Laurier Avenue segregated bicycle lanes were also recognized.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is a heritage building at more than 100 years old. The large-scale renovations needed to maintain the building's heritage qualities.
The most prominent feature of the renovation is the tall glass tower added to the front of the building, containing a four-storey staircase. Dubbed the “Queen’s Lantern,” the addition is the focal point of the building.
It is important to look at more than whether a building is “nice,” and to ask, “What is the contribution of this building to the city itself?” says Bruce Kuwabara, an architect who spent nine years on the project.
The museum project will get people thinking about “how architecture can create a new vibrancy for heritage buildings,” he says.
A four-unit condo development on Elm Street also won an award of excellence.
The main reason it won is the unique way the parking is set up, says Salem Macdonald, who developed the property with his father, Clyde Macdonald.
There’s one central driveway for all four units with carports tucked behind the front units and out of sight. This type of design saves space in an area where street parking is limited.
Also recognized was Cornerstone Housing for Women. Located at 314 Booth St. The facility provides affordable housing and support for women who need it.
The segregated bicycle lanes on Laurier Avenue West also recieved an award for urban elements.
The first of their kind in Ontario, the jurors’ comments recommend that “if these types of lanes become a permanent installation,” the city improve on the materials and detailing used.
“The great thing about the Urban Design Awards program is that it recognizes a broad spectrum of work,” says Kuwabara.
“Both major institutions and good urban fabric buildings are necessary to build a vibrant city.”