Historical 'distinctions': Architect defends controversial Chateau Laurier expansion plan
Susana Mas, The Ottawa Citizen
Published on: September 15, 2016 | Last Updated: September 15, 2016 10:27 PM EDT
The lead architect behind the design for the proposed additions to the historic Château Laurier is defending his work after newly revealed plans drew a barrage of criticism from the public and the city’s mayor.
Much of the criticism was directed at two box-shaped modern additions located on the east and west wings that stand in stark contrast with the character of the Château.
Peter Clewes, principal of the Toronto-based firm architectsAlliance, said the suggestion that he doesn’t care about the hotel’s heritage value is simply not true.
“We need to build buildings that are of our time but we need to be respectful of what has come before them and so it is really a balance between the two. It’s not appropriate to simply take a national historic site and then add on to it exactly in the architectural ground it was originally conceived in because that just confuses history,” Clewes told the Citizen on Thursday.
“It’s because I care about our cultural history as conveyed in architecture that I think it’s very important to create these clear distinctions,” Clewes said.
While some of the images appear to show the additions towering over the current hotel structure, Clewes said they are not in fact taller.
Some of the pictures circulated to the media, Clewes said, showed a wide-angle view which tends to distort the physical relationship between objects.
“There is some distortion,” Clewes said. “It does make it look larger than it is.”
A cross-sectional image of the design and an image showing a view of the expanded hotel from the main entrance on Wellington Street shows the additions tucked away slightly below the current building structure.
“When you look at the hotel, it will be very clear to you what is the historical portion of the hotel.”
Clewes, a Canadian design architect with 30 years of practice, is the recipient of two prestigious Governor General medals.
“We take our work seriously and we’re very passionate about what we do,” he said.
“What we’re trying to do is something very reserved and calm and deferential.”
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was also critical of the proposed expansion, saying in a tweet that “this falls under the category ‘back to the drawing board!'”
Art Phillips, director of development for Larco Investments Ltd., which represents the owners of the Fairmont Château Laurier, acknowledged on Thursday that “the feedback was quite intense.”
Phillips told the Citizen he hoped the public would take a closer look at some of the other details.
The current proposal also includes a new courtyard, the greening of four roofs, and a new underground parking garage open to hotel guests and the public.
Phillips said the owners are looking at changing the shape of the roof on the two box-shaped additions in favour of a more pointed design.
“We have to look at how we can draw upon the architectural character of the hotel without trying to mimic it, because understand that we’re not permitted to mimic the heritage,” Phillips said of the standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places in Canada.
Phillips said the proposed design also borrows some materials such as limestone, glass and copper from the existing design.
Ottawa city councillor Mathieu Fleury, who appeared to support the expansion at first, said Thursday he regretted the statement he gave Larco for use in its presentation a day earlier.
“It is an exciting project that introduces captivating architectural design to this important site for our capital city while highlighting its important heritage value and location,” Fleury’s statement said.
“I did a mistake in the sense that, I’m so happy that the applicant is demolishing the (parking) garage, but certainly in terms of design and process for approval there’s a lot left,” Fleury told the Citizen.
“In my mind I would describe it as pre-consultation and certainly from the initial feedback, from Twitter and from the media and community partners, there is certainly a lot of change that is required to the design. I think the applicant is hearing that. They’re certainly open to a broader consultation and that’s refreshing.”
Both Clewes and Phillips said they will continue to consult with the city’s urban design review panel and the National Capital Commission until both are happy with the design.
The NCC told the Citizen it did review earlier drafts of the design as recently as May and August and welcomes the launch of public consultations.
“The NCC recognizes the historic and symbolic importance of the Château Laurier and even though the proposed addition is on private land, there are opportunities to enhance the design as part of the federal approval process since the site is surrounded by NCC lands,” said spokesperson Mario Tremblay in a statement Thursday.
“The NCC has been challenging the proponent to find design solutions that do not negatively impact the adjacent park and the views of the Capital.”
Phillips said he still intends to submit a formal application next month and will continue to hold public consultations before submitting a final plan for approval in 2017.
With files from Jon Willing and Don Butler
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...expansion-plan
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"It’s not appropriate to simply take a national historic site and then add on to it exactly in the architectural ground it was originally conceived in because that just confuses history,” Clewes told the Citizen on Thursday."
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