Thesis Defence: Sarah Selleck

Buildings are no longer solely designed and overseen by architects during construction. The building process has transformed into a collaborative design system that engages construction management companies and consultants to work together (along with their clients) in a true integrated process. Such a process is most applicable when it comes to heritage restoration projects. Heritage buildings have an underlying site and historical value that creates limitations during construction. Historical buildings, which are comprised of layered history, must eventually function effectively to allow for the building’s intended use. During a historical project rehabilitation, conflicting decisions are often made to balance the historical fabric with the modern building requirements. The historical value and its intended use – combined with the complexity of today’s building expectations and program logistics – influence the overall building design process. The thesis intends to explore this modern process of integrated design on a specific heritage rehabilitation project: the Canadian Parliament Precinct’s Centre Block, in the capital city of Ottawa. It is a national historical building which is part of the Canadian parliamentary complex on Parliament Hill and one of the three buildings which forms the famous Parliamentary Triad. The focus of this thesis is on how modern construction methodology has redefined the role of the architect and the process of design development for large complex projects through a construction management contract. Buildings, and especially historic buildings, in today’s society must incorporate multi-disciplined modern specifications that function together in harmony with the historical value of the building to form a concise design vision. 

The examining committee is as follows:

Supervisor: Val Rynnimeri
Reader: John McMinn
Internal-external: Rick Andrighetti
External: Carol Phillips