Brutalism could help Ottawa convert offices to housing

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From the stark concrete of the National Arts Centre to the angular blocks of the public library's main branch, dozens of brutalist buildings are scattered throughout Ottawa's downtown.

Beyond an iconic appearance, the polarizing style of post-war architecture may play a role in the city's efforts to convert vacant office buildings into housing, according to a new report.

In the post-war era, brutalist designs helped governments fulfill a "deep social need" by engaging in massive civic projects, creating arts and culture spaces and rapidly building housing, she said.

Early projects in Ottawa, such as the Department of National Defence building on Colonel By Drive, tended to embrace the stark concrete façade associated with the style.

Today, the presence of brutalism in Ottawa is "pretty representative" of most mid-sized Canadian cities, according to Gelbard, but key federal buildings make its use "a little bit more iconic."

Public Services and Procurement Canada is looking to unload nine of its buildings across the region, meaning Ottawa's conversion prospects rely heavily on the whims of a single employer.

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