The Ottawa Convention Centre opened its doors on April 13, 2011 after completion of a 5-year redesign and construction project in collaboration with bbb architects and PCL Constructors Canada Inc. The building contains 192,000 sq. ft. of useable space including a 56,000 sq. ft., column-free exhibit hall and the 4th floor Trillium Ballroom with breathtaking views of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its sweeping window façade has become an Ottawa landmark, and is the largest curved glass wall in Canada at 29,500 sq. ft.
“The OCC is extremely proud of this award and of the collaborative efforts made by bbb architects and PCL Construction Canada to create this stunning building,” says Patrick Kelly, President of the Ottawa Convention Centre. “The team rose to the challenge of the building’s complex, innovative design and have constructed a landmark in the nation’s capital.”
Ritchard Brisbin, Principal of bbb architects, agrees that the spirit of teamwork was a huge advantage to the project. “The award is proof of a fairly straight forward equation: when the architect and the constructor are partners, the project is better and the client benefits,” he said.
“PCL is honoured to be a part of the Design/Build team that brought this new significant landmark to a reality for the City of Ottawa. Working hand-in-hand with bbb architects made this project one of the most unique design-build projects located in the downtown core of the Nation’s Capital and we wish continued success to the facility as it entertains people from around the world.” Kevin Skinner, Vice-President & District Manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
The 1st and 2nd runner up honours went to the Guelph Organics Composting Plant presented by Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. & AECOM and the Archives of Ontario at York University presented by PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and B+H Architects.
Established in 2002, the CDBI Awards of Excellence are presented annually to recognize excellence in Canada’s design-build industry and acknowledge teams whose projects contribute to the growth and stature of the design-build industry. Award recipients are selected based on the complexity of their design, adherence to the highest industry standards, and ability to demonstrate the benefits achieved through this increasingly popular alternative delivery mechanism.
The Canadian Design-Build Institute is the recognized voice of design-build practitioners in Canada, promoting and enhancing the proper utilization of the design-build method of procurement and contracting. Membership to the Institute is open to anyone who has an interest in design-build and includes 200 firms.
Ottawa Convention Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
