Library of Parliament in Ottawa being restored

Work has started on rehabilitating one of Canada’s most famous national landmarks — the Library of Parliament that graces Capital Hill in Ottawa.
The distinguished circular structure with its ornate Victorian-gothic architecture is having a major overhaul, including the installation of a new copper roof. The masonry will be cleaned, windows repaired, and better insulation and waterproofing will be added. As well, the basement, which presently contains collection storage and mechanical systems, will be excavated to increase the head room.
The renovations also involve making changes to the library’s interior such as restoring the cabinetry and altering the floor plan to make the room less cluttered and “more like a reading room.”
Part of an ongoing project to restore and refurbish the entire Parliamentary precinct, the library rehabilitations will cost $55 million and will take three years to complete. The building is closed to the public while the work takes place.
The extensive list of consultants hired for the project includes Adjeleian Allen Rubeli of Ottawa as structural engineers, Pageau Morel associes of Hull and Montreal as mechanical and electrical engineers, S. Chidlac and Associates of Ottawa as seismic engineers, and Golder & Associates of Ottawa as geotechnical engineers. As subconsultants Morrison Hershfield are doing the building science, KJA Consultants are doing the elevator design, Pinchin Environmental are in charge of environmental engineering and Novatech Engineering are doing civil engineering. The architects and prime consultant are Ogilvie and Hogg, Desnoyers Mercure, Spencer R. Higgins and Lundholm Associates.