Designers appointed for Canada's primary WWII memorial upgrade

1 March 2018
Credit: East & West Memorial Buildings: Photo Andre V Ruas
  • East & West Memorial Buildings: Photo Andre V Ruas
ARCHITECT

Moriyama & Teshima Architects/Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning

LOCATION

Ottawa, ON

Canada

Moriyama & Teshima Architects and Kasian Architecture win refurbishment contract

Last Summer, a competitive tendering process was initiated by Public Services and Procurement Canada for the renovation of the West Memorial Building in Ottawa. The 1950s structure forms the country’s primary Second World War memorial, together with the neighbouring East Memorial Building and the Commemorative archway that connects the two buildings.

Moriyama & Teshima Architects and Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning have now been revealed as the winners of the Ca$14.2-million refurbishment contract. The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced the appointment last Friday, stating: “We are pleased to announce the first milestone in this important project and also honoured to be part of the rejuvenation of this heritage building. Revitalising this memorial is another way for us to honour our Canadian veterans.”

The authorities intend to transform the building, which is currently unused, into an accessible and modern workplace meeting current health, safety and environmental standards, while preserving is heritage character. In the interim, it will serve as temporary accommodation for occupants of the Supreme Court of Canada during a rehabilitation process scheduled to begin in 2023. Once the temporary occupants have returned to the upgraded Court, the West Memorial Building will serve as long-term office space for future government tenants.

The entire project, including the Court upgrade, has a budget over Ca$1 billion. Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, stated: “Through an investment in our heritage assets, Public Services and Procurement Canada is ensuring that Canada’s highest court and the federal courts remain functional for generations to come. At the same time, by undertaking this important infrastructure project, the government is creating jobs for hard-working middle-class Canadians.”
 
A Request for Proposal to select a construction management firm for the West Memorial building will be launched this Summer.

Lucy Nordberg

TenderStream Research Specialist & Editor

This competition was first published by TenderStream on 07.08.2017. See the original brief here

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