This project was initially designed for Saint Andrews Church as way to generate rental income to pay for the repair and maintenance of the church property as well as funding their mission in the Ottawa community. The Church had no appetite for development so they turned it over to Nansen Developments who then was bought out by the Bank of Canada who required additional space. Jim Strasman was very familiar with the Bank of Canada having designed the Head Office for the Bank of Canada located just across Kent street, while with Arthur Erickson Architects.
With the Bank of Canada as the client, the original concept had to be reworked completely. Because of this we eliminated the central core and placed the core elements in two separate cores –one at each end. With these adjustments, the Bank was able to use its’ standard furniture systems and office standards.
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
- Completion Status
- 1981
- Client
- Bank of Canada
- Surface Size
- 230,000 sf
- Key Personnel
- Jim Strasman
- Project Types
- Civic
The real challenge though was how to integrate the historically designated St Andrews church into the overall composition. The famous organ had to be accommodated on the second floor and the fire rating requirements dictated a prescribed amount of fire rated material between the church and the tower. A landscaped courtyard was designed between the church and the Department of Veterans affairs building with a raised seating area due to the structural depth required by the truck loading area below. The building is cladded in granite, glass and green metal panels echoing the colour of patinated copper roofs, common in Ottawa.
