Aubin Consulting is honoured to have had the opportunity over the past several months to support Provencher Roy in the Public Services and Procurement Canada Architectural Design Competition for Block 2 proposal.
Block 2 is a historical opportunity for symbolic reparation, establishing a new architectural vision for South Block based on a desire to Restore, Reconcile and Renew a shared belonging to Canada. We are proud to be collaborating with a diverse team of professionals from Provencher Roy, Arup, Vlan paysages and heritage architect Barry Padolsky (GRC Architects Inc), instilling a new national narrative rooted in a universal sense of interconnectedness.
The Land of Many Nations
The vision for the Block 2 proposal conveys a sense of place steeped in Indigenous ways of knowing, weaving a story between past, present and future generations of Canada. Through the traditional teachings shared in the circle, we aim to bring people together and encourage everyone to bring life to the public spaces and the cultural celebrations that take place. The Block 2 proposal serves as a transformational experience that advocates for transparency, an honest reading of history, and an inclusive understanding of the future. The Indigenous Peoples Space is at the heart of this concept, giving it spatial and design freedom to breathe and grow.
Truth and Reconciliation Tower
The Truth and Reconciliation Tower reflects a collective desire to preserve the history of the first Indigenous Peoples in the region while renewing the understanding of what it means to be Canadian. The circular form of the tower emphasizes Indigeneity and universality that implies wholeness, trust and inclusiveness. The Tower's Committee Rooms can be made transparent to enable citizens and visitors to view parliamentary proceedings, reinforcing our need for dialogue, connection, transparency and justice. The agora at ground level symbolizes a continuum of Canadian openness, with its large glass doors, which can be open or closed depending on the type of event and the time of the year.
Earth to Sky
Inspired by Indigenous Elders' teachings, Indigenous ways of knowing and doing have been carefully incorporated into the concept. The notion of connecting Earth to Sky is expressed as part of an evolving ecosystem embraced through the atrium spaces that extend from the original bedrock up to the Escarpment Roofscape. Parliamentarians and their guests can find peace and tranquillity on the rooftop and enjoy moments of silence, prayer, or reflection. The Escarpment creates a balance with the natural world, offsetting the steel, glass, and concrete with songbirds, bees, bats, fragrant flowers, wild grasses and trees. Here, wild things repatriate this space going from place to place and reconnecting the South Block to the natural escarpment behind Parliament Hill.
All My Relations. Meegwetch.
In keeping with the Indigenous Seventh Generation principle and that the understanding of what we do today impacts the future, the Block 2 design intentionally leaves space around the Indigenous Peoples Space, the heart of Block 2. By providing this space, we respect and honour the importance of Indigenous people and their governments, ensuring their voice is amplified and extended outwards to Parliament Hill, Canada and the world.
Through our proposal, we have:
Restored the connections to nature, demonstrating the teaching that everything is interconnected,
Reconciled dialogue fostering rooting and growth of the Indigenous Peoples Space, and
Renewed the Nation-to-Nation axis, introducing the Truth and Reconciliation Tower.
Lastly, thank you to the Elders who inspired and lifted the spirits of our Block 2 team along this heartfelt and memorable journey. All my relations. Meegwetch.
