ARCHITECT John B. Parkin Associates
LOCATION Ottawa, Ontario
The Ottawa Train Station is one of the best-known truly Modernist buildings in Ottawa (and Canada), and an iconic structure that is spoken of with admiration by the public it serves and design professionals alike.
While it remains a timeless modern interpretation of the “grand” rail terminal and evidences enduring design quality, it also reveals the purity of design of the postwar Modernist period. The large floating structural frame is the most prominent element of a building that clearly articulates its functions and components in a beautiful ensemble.
The design of the building was by the Toronto firm of John B. Parkin Associates and the primary designers were Gene Kinoshita and Ted Sievenpiper. Completed in 1966, the station has since then received a number of important recognitions including the OAA’s Landmark Award in 2007, recognizing that this is one of the most architecturally important buildings in the province of Ontario.
Jury Comments
The jury recognized the iconic nature of the building, with its bold composition and exposed massive structural elements designed to make a powerful impression on arriving and departing passengers. The jury also recognized the enduring integrity of the design and materials, so little changed since construction, despite the demands of evolving technology and the high traffic to which the building is subject.
The jury for these awards was comprised of Martin Bressani, Natalie Bull, Michael McMordie and Yves Gosselin, AP/FRAIC, Jury Chair.