Photo courtesy Walters Group
Approach to heritage preservation
In a famous letter from 1864, George Brown wrote Sir John A. McDonald proclaiming “the [Parliament] Buildings are magnificent; the style, extent, site, and workmanship are all surpassingly fine. But they are 500 years in advance of their time… To say the truth, there is nothing in London, Paris, or Washington approaching to it.”
The ongoing rehabilitation is also highly innovative. Both projects represent the largest of their kind for the time, with no comparable model or prototype on which to base the initiative.
The restoration project involves:
- applying currently accepted industry standards for the conservation of historic buildings and sites;
- studying each component to establish an appreciative understanding of heritage values and elements;
- cataloguing, photographing, and numbering each component; and
- carefully restoring and placing them back into the original heritage ‘fabric.’
Intended to match the stone types in the original façade, specific stone types employed in the restored façade included:
- Berea (buff sandstone) for decorative and sculptural stones, as well as for quoins and window dressings;
- Nepean (also buff sandstone) for all rubble, jump and sneck, and scotch bond work (a term referring to the interlocking of brickwork courses);
- Potsdam (red sandstone) for accent stones around arches and in polygonal work;
- grey limestone for some steps and thresholds;
- Stanstead (salt-and-pepper granite) for steps; and
- a white-marble cornerstone from Québec.
The ongoing rehabilitation of the West Block façade also utilizes the same kind of tools today as those used by the original masons, according to Bobby Watt, president of RJW-Gem Campbell Stonemasons Inc., the masonry contractor on the project.
“The techniques and tools employed on this project haven’t changed a great deal over the centuries,” says Watt. “With the exception, perhaps, of laser-cleaning, which is certainly a new, effective, and innovative restoration technique.”
Laser-cleaning involves using pulses of light to clean stone or other elements of the building envelope without direct contact. This process overcomes some of the limitations common with conventional abrasive or chemical cleaning methods, and offers mobility, localization, and the ability for cleaning technicians to view and monitor progress. It also produces less waste and is less disruptive than traditional methods.
The remediation of the West Block is one of several restoration phases planned over the next decade in the Parliamentary Precinct; started in 2011, it will involve removal of hazardous substances, structural upgrades, and restoration of exterior masonry and fenestration components. In addition to replacement of HVAC equipment, the project will also include upgrades to IT equipment, media facilities, and various daylighting, interior lighting, security, and public and occupant access features.
Conclusion
For Canadians, the Parliament Buildings are much more than “a noble Gothic pile on the Hill,” as they were called by Prime Minister Robert Borden when reconstruction of the Centre Block started. The renovation project reflects his prediction that “an even grander Gothic pile will rise phoenix-like from the ashes.”
Most of the buildings contained in the Parliamentary Precinct are exceptional due to their symbolic and physical importance to Canadian self-government, educational and cultural value, and distinctive architectural importance, as well as their Canadian content. This is not to mention the Precinct’s demonstrated ability to evolve and adapt over time. The Parliament Buildings are a remarkable example of Canadian skill and determination—this was so 150 years ago, and still holds true today.
Brian Burton has written several feature articles for Construction Canada, covering topics ranging from ‘future-proofing’ buildings to the revitalization of Maple Leaf Gardens. He is a Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Certified Construction Inspector, and has published more than 300 articles in Canadian, U.S., and international publications. Burton served on the technical committee that prepared CSA’s new certification program for fenestration installation technicians, and is a member of the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture, and Urbanism (INTBAU) and Association for Preservation Technology (APT). He also publishes articles on his site. Burton can be reached via e-mail at blueblade49@gmail.com.
