Terrasses de la Chaudière | Renovation | U/C

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

They could have put stucco or vinyl siding on top of the brick ...

They are replacing the entire building envelope, sticking some stucco or vinyl on the brick doesn't solve deficiencies within the wall assembly.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Yes, total replacement of the building envelope (and interior), all that is being kept is the concrete structure. Hardly a waste, it's quite the opposite. Renewing a failing building is far more eco-friendly than tearing it down and building a new one.

Didn't realize it was in such a bad shape. Barely lasted what, 40 years?

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Harley613

They are replacing the entire building envelope, sticking some stucco or vinyl on the brick doesn't solve deficiencies within the wall assembly.

Tongue was in cheek.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Tongue was in cheek.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Didn't realize it was in such a bad shape. Barely lasted what, 40 years?

45 years since it opened. I began hearing about severe mold, moisture, and ventilation issues in the complex from friends and family starting in the early 90's. That alone should be enough to warrant this rebuild, but then the bricks started falling off a few years back, which seemed to kick the project into high gear.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

45 years since it opened. I began hearing about severe mold, moisture, and ventilation issues in the complex from friends and family starting in the early 90's. That alone should be enough to warrant this rebuild, but then the bricks started falling off a few years back, which seemed to kick the project into high gear.

Terrace was built by Campeau, who also built Place de Ville. PdV I suffered from "sick building syndrome" and had to be gutted and rebuilt in the 80s. I imagine Terrace might have had the same issue, just undiagnosed, or the owner (the Feds) didn't care, unlike Campeau.

For what it's worth, I don't think Campeau was neglectful (as proven by his well designed projects and investment in rebuilding PdV I's interior in the 80s), I think he just had a bad HVAC installer or supplier.

[OTownandDown]

From what I know, Terrasses was to be precast concrete, similar to all the other Gatineau federal buildings (and that one pesky provincial building) but Trudeau senior said 'NO MORE CONCRETE' so brick was quickly designed and placed on the outside of the precast panels *in the factory*. Which was unusual at the time.

Over time, the brick hasn't been able to withstand the elements with the odd arrangement being tacked onto the outside of the precast.

I think this info was in one of Urbsite's amazing posts?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

From what I know, Terrasses was to be precast concrete, similar to all the other Gatineau federal buildings (and that one pesky provincial building) but Trudeau senior said 'NO MORE CONCRETE' so brick was quickly designed and placed on the outside of the precast panels *in the factory*. Which was unusual at the time.

Over time, the brick hasn't been able to withstand the elements with the odd arrangement being tacked onto the outside of the precast.

I think this info was in one of Urbsite's amazing posts?

Never heard that, but if true, I thank Pierre Trudeau for giving us a little variety in the Hull skyline. Yet another concrete complex would have been depressing. I enjoyed the 45 years of reddish-brown brick façdes while they were around.

We need more P.E.T.s in the world, if only to escape the monotony of RLA and Neuf designs.

[OTownandDown]

I don't suppose anyone has action shots of these panels being removed? I can see they're being removed panel-by-panel. If its precast in behind, the entire panel must be coming off in one piece, with brick attached.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Never heard that, but if true, I thank Pierre Trudeau for giving us a little variety in the Hull skyline. Yet another concrete complex would have been depressing. I enjoyed the 45 years of reddish-brown brick façdes while they were around.

We need more P.E.T.s in the world, if only to escape the monotony of RLA and Neuf designs.

[Norman Bates]

Colloquially it was known as: Terrasses de la Shoddy Air.

IIRC the fresh air intake was positioned near the trash.

This was a story I was told by a professor in the early 1980s.

[zzptichka]

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Boy-o-boy is there ever a lot of work here. Also.. shoutout to the river jumping spot in the lower right. I haven't been there in years.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

Boy-o-boy is there ever a lot of work here. Also.. shoutout to the river jumping spot in the lower right. I haven't been there in years.

Been there a couple of times this year. It's a health hazard. Garbage and broken glass everywhere. Really sad to see.

I wish NCC extended the path they are planning to build along the Zibi riverbank to the cliff and made some kind of lookout with benches. Would've helped to keep the place cleaner.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Been there a couple of times this year. It's a health hazard. Garbage and broken glass everywhere. Really sad to see.

I wish NCC extended the path they are planning to build along the Zibi riverbank to the cliff and made some kind of lookout with benches. Would've helped to keep the place cleaner.

Its part of the long term planning to make this point into an actual lookout in the future but its probably a very distant future unfortunately

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by SL123

Its part of the long term planning to make this point into an actual lookout in the future but its probably a very distant future unfortunately

Yeah, judging by this slide NCC showed some time ago regarding Tesasini park, they might actually build a MUP next year and connect it to the network. Doesn't seem like they plan to do anything about the cliff any time soon though.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Yeah, judging by this slide NCC showed some time ago regarding Tesasini park, they might actually build a MUP next year and connect it to the network. Doesn't seem like they plan to do anything about the cliff any time soon though.

There's some more details in the 2018 Ottawa River North Shore plan

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/our-plans/ottawa-river-north-shore-parklands-plan

When you click on learn more it brings you to a PDF of the report

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Been there a couple of times this year. It's a health hazard. Garbage and broken glass everywhere. Really sad to see.

I wish NCC extended the path they are planning to build along the Zibi riverbank to the cliff and made some kind of lookout with benches. Would've helped to keep the place cleaner.

We actually brought a broom with us on our second visit. Not a spot for broken glass.

[zzptichka]

[OTSkyline]

Are they redoing all of the Places & Terraces buildings? That's a lot.

[Kelnoz]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Are they redoing all of the Places & Terraces buildings? That's a lot.

All of Terrasses is one project, but on the Portage side it's only Portage 3 for now.