Hidden Heritage under threat: Patterson Hall, a university landmark
Paterson Hall is a modernist building of an international style. It is the only building which no major additions have been made to from the original Carleton Rideau Campus.
Why is it significant?
It is a simplistic rectangular modernist building that was built to accommodate the new student population of Carleton University’s Rideau Campus.
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It portrays many authentic and character defining elements contributing to the original modernist Rideau Carleton Campus of 1957, the heritage value of the site: Blue glazed brick and zig-zag walls.
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Today, it is the only original building from when the university was first built that has not undergone major alterations.
History
Paterson Hall was conceived as part of the original Master Plan of 1953-1961 by Waston Balharrie, Hart Massey, john bland and Campbell Merrett (Architectural Associates for Carleton University), all leading architects in modern design in Ottawa and influencing other cities in the country.
Original design
The building was built in 1959 and added on to shortly after. Although named Paterson Hall today, to commemorate the oldest serving Canadian Senator, Norman Paterson’s contribution to the School of International Affairs, the building was originally named the Arts Building. Today, the building still serves art students but the name is no longer the Arts Building.
Patterson Hall - Detailed of the glazed brick (2017-11-26) by Mario Santana QuinteroICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
A detail of the steel blue glazed bricks
Patterson Hall - Modernist facade by Katie SharkeyICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Facade elements
Patterson Hall - Aerial view from the North by Mario Santana QuinteroICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Patterson Hall - Recessed First Floor by Kathleen ChinICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Modernism as a Character Defining Element
Features include: Connecting curtain wall suspended staircase, fourth-floor catwalk reconstructed granite columns, deep moat and bridged walkway, simplistic modern rectangular form, and concrete lift slab construction.
Why is this building under threat?
Carleton University has recently updated its master plan and Paterson Hall is recommended for demolition.
Patterson Hall - Drawing of the North facade by Chelsea JacobsICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Patterson Hall - Fourth Floor Catwalk by Chelsea JacobsICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Catwalk
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This page has been produced with content from Waddington, N. and Celine Boulanger - Final Report: Paterson Hall, Carleton University, 2014
Photographs and streetviews by Mario Santana Quintero and Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS)
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