Arts Court Courtyard

Client

City of Ottawa

Location

Ottawa

Completion

2019

Flanked by the historic Ottawa Jail Hostel, lively Rideau Centre, and the celebrated Ottawa Art Gallery, Arts Court is a vibrant new public plaza and entrance to the Saw Gallery. This new public gathering and event space offers an important physical connection between busy Nicholas Street and the gallery, creating an intrinsic connection to the arts. As an outdoor extension of the Saw Gallery, the fully accessible, multi-purpose courtyard welcomes individuals and active groups in support of Ottawa’s unique culture of arts and entertainment.

The design was strongly driven by function and refined to support the character of surrounding historic buildings. A series of three terraced plazas connect people from the street to the gallery. The upper terrace welcomes and orients people within the space. The large intermediate terrace and stage provides for functions, performances, and informal seating. The lower terrace draws people to the building entrance and offers a quiet patio area.

The materiality of the courtyard was inspired by the adjacent buildings, both new and old. Linear and irregular elements echo the strong but varying lines of the historic limestone masonry, and salvaged limestone bedrock from the construction of the plaza is re-purposed as planter walls and accents. The hard plaza area with informal seating walls is softened by colourful plants that offer all-season interest.