Block 2 design competition
Hello,
The Canada Research Chair in Architecture, Competitions and Mediations of Excellence having had the honor of being associated with the preparation and implementation of this historic competition, I am pleased to extend to you this invitation to the public presentations of the 6 internationally renowned teams that will take place online on April 11, 2022.
Jean-Pierre Chupin
In May 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) launched an architectural design competition to redevelop Block 2, a full city block directly opposite Canada’s parliament buildings, just south of Parliament Hill.
The renewal of Block 2 is a critical piece of PSPC’s Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. The design competition ensures that the final design for this city block brings forward new vitality to a significant part of Confederation Boulevard. The goal is to transform this mix of buildings into an innovative complex that will meet the needs of Parliament and the public now and into the future.
On April 11, the six design team finalists will present their design concepts for Block 2 through a virtual public presentation. We would be grateful if you would share the invitation below about the public presentation with your networks.
Few sites carry the significance of Block 2, a full city block directly opposite Canada’s parliament buildings, just south of Parliament Hill. To the north, it faces the Centre Block and its Peace Tower.
The renewal of Block 2 is a critical piece of PSPC’s Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) for the Parliamentary Precinct. The design competition, launched in spring 2021, ensures that the final design for this city block brings forward new vitality to a significant part of Confederation Boulevard. The goal is to transform this mix of buildings into an innovative complex that will meet the needs of Parliament and the public now and into the future.
Join us to hear the competitors speak to their vision for this prominent space in Canada’s capital. The six finalist design teams will present their design concepts for Block 2.
PRESENTERS:
- Zeidler Architecture Inc., in association with David Chipperfield Architects
- Diamond Schmitt Architects, in a joint venture with Bjarke Ingels Group, KWC Architects and ERA Architects
- Provencher Roy + Associés Architectes Inc.
- Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects, in a joint venture with Behnisch Architekten
- WilkinsonEyre, in association with IDEA Inc.
- NEUF architect(e)s, in a joint venture with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop
JOIN US
April 11, 2022
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
This event will be held virtually via Facebook Live (with audio interpretation). A Facebook account is not required to view the event.
Do you know someone who would like to view this presentation? Please share this invitation.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION:
Following an extensive prequalification process, twelve architectural teams were invited to submit design proposals for Block 2 that would complement the image of Canada and its capital on the international stage. Of these, six finalists were invited to develop their designs which will be presented at this public presentation. The winning team and design will be recommended to the department by an independent jury. This design competition was endorsed by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and has designated professional advisors to oversee the overall competition process.
“It’s not about humans being above the place, or building their buildings to look down upon the place. It’s about the people and place being one and the same.”— John Ralston Saul, RAIC Honorary Advisor, Block 2 Design Competition
