Regenerating Ottawa’s West Memorial Building

Regenerating Ottawa’s West Memorial Building

This webinar is part of the RAIC 2024 Conference on Architecture, now available to stream!

Topics: History, Heritage and Culture

Length: 1 hour | What's Included: Video, Quiz, and Certificate of Completion 

The West Memorial Rehabilitation presents a compelling case study in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. This ambitious endeavor Involves the extensive rehabilitation of a 1950’s classified federal heritage building located in Ottawa. While its eventual use will be for Government of Canada offices, its immediate purpose is to house the Supreme Court of Canada and Court Administration Services for several years while the Supreme Court Building undergoes rehabilitation. The comprehensive rehabilitation encompasses the full-scale masonry restoration and building envelope improvements, seismic and structural upgrades, all new base building systems, and tenant fit-up, achieving 4 Green Globes for design.

This session explores the reimagined Supreme Court and the main public spaces as they insert themselves within the rigid geometry of the existing building’s two light wells and column grid – all while addressing the complex functional and security requirements of such a prominent institution.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the complexities and challenges involved in conserving and adapting heritage buildings for modern use, as demonstrated by the West Memorial Rehabilitation Project.
• Recognize this projects achievements of a harmonious balance between the functional requirements, sustainability goals, an the imperative to preserve the building's heritage value. 
• Discuss the sustainable design approaches employed in the project, which places emphasis on initial and lifecycle cost, energy performance, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and wellness. 
• Identify the challenges, solutions, and best practices for effectively adapting heritage structures to serve contemporary needs while upholding their historical significance

Subject Matter Experts:

Emmanuelle van Rutten
B.Arch, OAA, NSAA, OAQ, AAA, AIBC, FRAIC, PMP, LEED AP
Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects

Since joining Moriyama Teshima Architects in 2006, Emmanuelle van Rutten has led the growth of MTA’s Ottawa office and was named Partner in 2021. She has worked on many award-winning projects in Ottawa including the Canadian War Museum, the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, the Carleton University River Building, and the Visitor Welcome Centre on Parliament Hill. She is the Project Architect for the West Memorial Building Rehabilitation, which will temporarily house the Supreme Court of Canada for eight years.

Emmanuelle was Regional Director for Ontario North, East & Nunavut for the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada between 2016 and 2022 and was named a Fellow of the RAIC in 2019. She has been a panel member at the Ottawa Urban Design Review panel since 2016.

As a graduate from the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University with high academic distinction, Emmanuelle maintains a connection with her alma mater as an occasional lecturer and guest critic. She has also lectured at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty professional practice course and at Laurentian University.

James Rice
Diploma Architecture Technology, BAS, March, OAA, NSAA, RAIC, CPHD
Principal, Kasian Architecture

James is a visionary who transforms dreams into designs. From the award-winning E18hteen office tower in Doha to the innovative affordable housing development for Scott Mission, to the hip Printing Factory Lofts in Toronto, James crafts each project to align seamlessly with client objectives and the urban fabric. James holds a diploma in Architectural Technology from Algonquin College, B.A.S from the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University, and a MArch from the University of Toronto. As a guest critic at his alma mater, and through his involvement in the OAA's intern architect program and in student design competitions, he shares his wisdom with the next generation. Licensed in Ontario and Nova Scotia, and as a principal at Kasian's Toronto office, James is leading several transformative projects. Among them, the West Memorial Building Rehabilitation in Ottawa, the soon temporary home of the Supreme Court of Canada, stands as a testament to his passion for innovative design and commitment to excellence.

Ronen Bauer
B.Sc., M.Arch., OAA, AIBC, AAA, NCAA, MRAIC
Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects

Moriyama Teshima Architects Partner, Ronen Bauer, joined the firm in 2005 after graduating from the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture with a Master of Architecture. With over 15 years of relevant experience in various roles as Lead Designer, Project Architect and Project Manager with MTA, Ronen’s outstanding collaborative ability and highly efficient working style has been integral to delivering many multifaceted institutional projects. He consistently cultivates a positive and efficient work environment coupled with an extensive knowledge of building systems and technologies.

Ronen’s deep understanding and dedication to rational design, vision, and aesthetics, has been demonstrated on high profile projects including the West Memorial Building Rehabilitation for the Supreme Court of Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University Centre for Urban Innovation, Canon Canada Headquarters, the Niagara Falls History Museum, and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.