Vaulted roof of the West Block Rehabilitation Project in Ottawa with a white steel substructure and trapezoidal glass panes through which one can see into the meeting room. In the background, blue sky, two ornate towers, modern buildings and a Canadian flag with a red maple leaf

modernisation of a historic administration building

innovative roof solution for the west block rehabilitation project

The West Block Rehabilitation Project involves the renovation of a historic administration building of the Canadian Parliament. seele developed and installed a vaulted steel-and-glass structure over the former courtyard to serve as the roof of the new assembly chamber. Precise control of acoustics, room climate, and shading ensures optimal working conditions within the administration building. seele implemented the architects’ demanding design concept and building physics requirements with precision.

Façade type
Steel-and-glass design
Client
PWGSC – Public Works and Government Services CAN
Contractor
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Engineer
Ojdrovic + Cooke, Engineers
Architect
ARCOP / FGMDA
Grey trapezoids form the supporting structure for the glass roof of the administration building with grey, trapezoidal patterned acoustic panels
Tree-like steel posts with fluorescent tubes support the roof of the administration building, with white chairs underneath in front of a stone wall on a light-coloured floor
Boardroom in the administration building of the Canadian Parliament with a light green floor, light green chairs below and brown wood panelling, Gothic windows in a stone wall and steel posts with fluorescent tubes and grey acoustic panels
White steel grid of trapezoids being glazed. 4 workers insert the trapezoidal glass panes, yellow panels serve as a path, orange tarpaulins
White steel grid with some trapezoidal glass panes, in the background a worker with a neon yellow safety waistcoat, an ornate tower and the city of Ottawa

steel-and-glass design above the administration building

To preserve the historic existing building, the roof levitates independently over the largely unchanged courtyard façades. The delicate and branched steel construction by seele supports the load. Attached to it are an outer glass layer made of triple-glazed insulating glass, laylights in various tones as an additional glazing layer, movable light control slats, and sound-absorbing panels. This roof structure combines the functions of thermal protection, lighting, and acoustics.

Awards for the governmental building

ENR Award of Merit Global Best Projects Winners Rehabilitation / Restoration 2019
CISC Award of Merit for Architecture 2019
RAIC Award of Merit for Innovation in Architecture 2019
Award for Federal Buildings Heritage Conservation Excellence awarded by the Real Property Institute of Canada 2019
CAPH Award of Excellence for Conservation 2019
North American Copper in Architecture Award 2018
BAC Craft Award for Best Restoration / Rehabilitation / Maintenance Project 2017
CAHP Award for Preservation of a Heritage Building 2010

#madebyseele

Development, 3D planning, testing, manufacturing, and installation of the glass roof, steel support structure, and catwalk grating for maintenance purposes — laylight (glass ceiling) glazing — movable light control louvres — acoustic sails — 4 mock-ups

2,554 sqm
laylight glazing
2,485 sqm
vaulted glass roof with triple glazing
938 t
steel construction
208 sqm
mock-ups
further projects
Interior view of the pedestrian bridge Eaton Centre Bridge at night, steel frame with glass panes, illuminated baseboard, tapering tunnel, black and white stripes, metal handrails Detail of the Eaton Centre Bridge pedestrian bridge with white portal frame, illuminated baseboard and metal handrail

eaton centre bridge

toronto, canada
Illuminated steel and glass bridge ‘New Street Square Bridges’ between two illuminated office buildings with glass facades over a street in London

new street square bridges

london, uk