Ottawa Convention Centre, Canada

Architect	Ritchard Brisbin of Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects
Date Built	2011
Location	Colonel By Drive
Description
In an article in the Globe and Mail on March 11, 2011, Lisa Rochon described the Ottawa Convention Centre as "A glass spaceship on the Rideau Canal". She went on to say that, "Designed with gusto and flare, the exciting new building, by local architect Ritchard Brisbin of BBB Architects, brings a charge of alien energy to a city long known for its Victorian primness" GBA who led the Project Management of the new building describe it as, " a stunning, iconic building unlike anything Canada has ever seen. Ottawa’s downtown core was revitalized with the intricate installation of 1,084 glass panels to create a futuristic crystalline orb that redefined Canada’s most historic landscape. This building changes the urban landscape of the nation’s capital, combining form and function, unprecedented efficiency, and architectural ingenuity." Built on the site of the much smaller and less attractive Congress Centre, that was demolished in 2008 - 2009, this building offers 4 floors of convention accommodation. On the first level is a spacious lobby, home to the "Wall of Three Rivers", a tribute to Ottawa's history. This floor also offers eight meeting rooms and the executive boardroom. There are a further 15 meeting rooms on the next floor and a 1849 square metre "pre-function room. There is also a bridge that connects to the Westin Hotel and the Rideau Shopping Centre. The third floor has a multifunctional hall capable of accommodating up to 6,260 people in a theatre set-up or 4,600 for a banquet. It is also capale of accommodating 400 display booths. On the fourth floor is a ballroom.