Exterior view of The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
Photo: Drew Mandigo

Cultural Architecture in Ottawa

I was recently in Toronto for a weekend and managed to get a look at the new Crystal Extension at the ROM. I am a bit of a modernist nut so I was looking forward to seeing it. Although I realize there are people who think it's an abomination (just as people thought of the Guggenheim Bilbao, the Eiffel Tower, et al – striking buildings are usually controversial), I was thrilled! I thought it was a stunning piece of architecture and a beautiful compliment to the original building, and to the street life around it. While standing there admiring it, I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have something like that in Ottawa?

Then, last week I happened to walk past the Canadian Museum of Nature, and saw the new ‘Lantern' addition being built above the front entrance. Now that's what I like to see – a gorgeous glass cube climbing up and over the façade. It actually is a glass version of the tower that was originally built on the site, and then dismantled in 1915, due to an inadequate foundation.

I know that cultural buildings, arts centres and performance spaces play important roles in a city. It is often claimed they can trigger the regeneration process and help in changing perceptions of a city, from both outside and within. One of the best examples of the power of culture to generate new economic activity is the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain, which has revived the old Basque industrial city. In addition to transforming Bilbao's image, the museum drew more than 1.3 million visitors in 1997, its inaugural year. Significantly, 79% of the visitors said they chose Bilbao as a destination with the express purpose of seeing the museum. This is now referred to as the Bilbao effect.

While urban cultural tourism continues to be dominated by the great capitals of culture such as Paris and London, the current trend of improving the cultural offering means even cities previously lacking cultural interest can emerge as new tourist destinations. Back here in Ottawa, The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat located on Sussex Drive, is the first building in the world specifically designed for the Aga Khan and his agencies. The rectilinear building's most dramatic feature is a multi-faceted glass dome with triangular fibreglass shades that control sunlight.

The dome's shape is a direct response to the Aga Khan's request for a building inspired by rock crystal, which he admires for "its translucency, its multiple planes, and the fascination of its colors–all of which present themselves differently as light moves around them," he stated on December 6 during an inauguration ceremony at the building. So we do have a crystal here after all.

The Canadian Museum of Nature, The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, along with the new Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the countless modernist private homes that have sprung up around town show me that Ottawa has plenty to offer the architectural or cultural tourist, and let's hope there is plenty more to come!

Plan a visit:
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building has public tours that run through August as part of their visitor program. Visit www.akfc.ca for more details.

Many of the buildings mentioned in the article will be participating in Doors Open Ottawa on June 6 and 7, a yearly event that allows the public to tour some Ottawa's most interesting buildings. Visit www.ottawa.ca/doorsopen for details and a complete listing of participating venues.