Backgrounder

The Consultant Team

The architectural consultant team for the federal judicial building project is NORR Limited, Architects and Engineers in association with Carlos Ott, design architect, and Edmundson Matthews Architects.

NORR Limited, Architects and Engineers are the prime consultant and are responsible for architectural, structural and electrical engineering. Founded in 1938, NORR has been responsible for numerous significant and award-winning Canadian and international high-profile projects. One of NORR's particular areas of specialization is judicial facilities.

Carlos Ott, the design architect, has more than 25 years of outstanding experience in the design of construction projects. He has designed and directed large-scale projects in the field of architecture and urban planning. Mr. Ott has been recognized internationally as one of the leading design architects and has been awarded with several international prizes and awards of merit.

Edmundson Matthews Architects are the local architects and are responsible for contract administration.

Carlos Ott's Biography

Carlos Ott, was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Uruguay at the age of 23. In 1971, he received a Fulbright Scholarship which allowed him to study at the University of Hawaii as well as graduate with a Masters in Architecture and Urban Design from Washington University School of Architecture.

In 1975 he moved to Toronto where he was an associate architect at Moffat, Moffat Kinoshita & Associates Architects. In 1983, he joined NORR Partnership Ltd, the largest Canadian firm located in Toronto as partner heading the Design and Architecture Division.

In 1983, there was an international competition for the design of the Opéra Bastille in Paris, France, to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the French Revolution on July 14, 1989. Carlos Ott was chosen as the winner of this competition from 744 participants.

The unique style of his architecture is recognized in many countries through major awards such as: "Arts et Lettres" and the "Legion d'Honneur" awarded in 1986 and 1988 respectively by Francois Mitterand, the President of the French Republic.

Carlos Ott continues to travel the world and is currently working on prestigious projects in Brazil, Argentina, China, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Canada.

Design Synopsis

The primary objective has been to design a modern building that will project an appropriate identity and image of "dignity and respect" for the Canadian judicial system. At the same time, it will symbolically and visually complete the western edge of Parliament Hill.

This building is the final element that will complete the judicial tri-partite arrangement of the Supreme Court of Canada, flanked on either side by the Justice Building and now the Federal Judicial Building. The placement of this building acknowledges the primacy of the Supreme Court of Canada as the architectural and symbolic centerpiece of the Canadian judicial system.

The main entrance of each of the three buildings opens onto the courtyard (St. Laurent Square). This feature reinforces the significance of the Supreme Court of Canada, located at the apex, as an architectural and symbolic keystone of the Canadian judicial system.

The south, east and west sides of the building participate in the relatively solid, formal and dignified urban landscape of Parliament Hill. To the north, facing the wild natural landscape of the Ottawa River, the solid outer layer of the building opens up, revealing the inner core, the heart of the building. This northern side of the building includes a major tower, which provides a counterpoint to the Mackenzie Tower to the east, and offers a bold termination to Parliament Hill.

The product of this important architectural commission will stand as a truly Canadian landmark. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building will define who we are and what we stand for as we progress into the twenty-first century.