City is at risk of bungling new central library
Open design contest best plan, says Jevone Nicholas.
When Ottawa residents were promised a new central library, many had visions of an iconic new structure. This hope is now rather doubtful.
The city is on a path that will lower our chances of having a new architectural landmark.
Whereas cities around the world have run open competitions for their library designs, Ottawa seems to be going in the opposite direction: not having any competition. Without any competitive pressure to obtain the most striking design, Ottawa may get a building that is simply the most expedient.
On May 19, the city issued a request for qualifications for professional design services for the new facility. While architects from around the world can participate, interested bidders will only submit their technical qualifications, without any image of what they envision for the building.
Once the city identifies a short list of no more than five qualified bidders, the scoring will be on technical experience. Again, there is no sign of requiring even a preliminary design sketch or model. Thus, a final architectural design firm could be selected without ever having to propose a single illustration of what it could do in Ottawa.
In April, the local advocacy group Bookmark the Core asked the city if the process would have any comparison of potential competing designs at any stage. The supply office responded that, while some process details are still pending, “a competition based on design is not the intent, and not something we believe will achieve our objectives.”
This approach contrasts sharply with what has been common practice for central libraries worldwide for many years: an open competition. Many of the world’s most celebrated new libraries, from Seattle to Helsinki, had a jury choose their award-winning designs. The Canadian Competition Catalogue lists 18 libraries that were built through an open process.
Selecting an architectural firm on the basis of qualifications does not guarantee that the winner will conjure its best work. Comparing designs brings out the best ideas. Such a process fosters transparency and stimulates interest, not only among architects but also among the public. There is no certainty of any public role in comparing proposed designs.
If Ottawa residents can vote on art installations or monuments, then why not on a $168-million new library?
The city’s process allows it to stipulate requirements for the new library, including the features called for in public consultations. The winning architects would then be obliged to incorporate these elements in their design. There is nothing that precludes these conditions from being within the terms of the competition itself. Would a competition cost the city dearly? The Canadian Competition Catalogue demonstrates that the public interest is actually better served by the market providing options. And then, of course, there are the public benefits that are simply priceless. From the Sydney Opera House to Toronto’s city hall, some of the greatest public buildings were designed through an open competition.
At a 2010 conference entitled “Great Cities – Great Libraries,” City of Ottawa delegates deemed it essential that any new facility have a“brilliant modern design.” It’s not too late for Ottawa to recapture this spirit and ambition.
Once the shovels go into the ground, the design will be fixed. Now is the moment for us to ensure that our new central library will seek the best designs from around the world so that generations to come will look upon this building with pride.
If Ottawa residents can vote on art installations or monuments, then why not on a $168-million new library?