Jury reviewing short list of designs for Block 2 of parliamentary precinct

The collection ofbuildings facing Parliament's Centre Blockis one step closer to a facelift, as a jury will look at design submissions from six finalists in the Block 2 architectural competition this week.

A jury selected by Royal Architectural Instituteof Canada will meet from Wednesday to Fridayto review the six design concepts, which were showcased in a public presentation on April 11, according to a spokesperson forPublic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

Block 2 is sandwichedbetween Wellington andSparks streets and stretches from O'Connor Street to Metcalfe Street. The redesignincludes office space for the Senate and House of Commons.

Architectural competitions havein the past elicitedgreat design ideas,including the Parliament Buildings in 1859, according to PSPC's website.

Amaury Greig is an associate withRenzo Piano Building Workshop in Paris, France, who has partnered withNEUF Architects in Ottawa to create a design that works with the range of historic buildingsalready there.

"The big challenge was really giving some coherence to that block and how to do that with buildingsthat are as old as150 or 160 yearsto more recent ones dating back to the early '80s," Grieg said.

Their design is centred around what will becometheIndigenous Peoples' Space two of the 11 buildings on the site have been set aside to house thenew space.

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PSPC's website said the department will ensure "the design and construction for the entire block honours and respects the significance of the space."

Diamond SchmittArchitects, working in a joint venture withBjarke Ingels Group, KWC Architects and ERA Architects, aims to place people above institutions with its rooftop gardens. Their design hopes to establish a "dignified urban edge" as a counterpoint to Parliament Hill.

The submission from Provencher Roy +Associs ArchitectesInc. incorporates teachings fromIndigenous elders into its design, creating a circle rather than a square and a "Truth and Reconciliation Tower" directly across from the Peace Tower.

The design from Wilkinson Eyre, in association with IDEA Inc., strives to present a counter narrative to the one presented by Centre Block. It takes its inspiration from natureand Indigenous teachings, traditions and cultures, and boastsan open civic space for citizens to engage in dialogue.

Creating a civic space is also at the heart of the design fromZeidler Architecture Inc.in association with David Chipperfield Architects. Its designincludes a People's Square andtries to marry historic stewardship with sustainability, Indigenous values and heritage.

The design from Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects, in partnership withBehnisch Architekten in Boston, prioritizes natural light and strives to create a welcoming workspace with winter gardens.

"We chose to bring [...] the outdoors, indoors and providing people access to nature within the building," said Allan Teramura, a partner with Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects.

After consultations with an adviser on Indigenous issues, the design incorporatesfragrant flowers and plans to infusethe buildings with important Indigenous plants.

"It's an amazing opportunity in Ottawa. It's a once in a lifetime kind of project," saidTeramura.

The jury will recommendthe first-, second- and third-place teams, and each will receive a prize.