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Advance Notice – Parliamentary Precinct Redevelopment, Ottawa – Block 2 Architectural Design Competition
OTTAWA January 20, 2020–The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada wishes to inform our members of an upcoming architectural design competition initiated by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).An advanced procurement notice is available on Buy and SellThe RAIC is endorsing this procedure and providing Professional Advisors and competition management advisory services to PSPC.
OTTAWA January 20, 2020–The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada wishes to inform our members of an upcoming architectural design competition initiated by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
An advanced procurement notice is available on Buy and Sell
The RAIC is endorsing this procedure and providing Professional Advisors and competition management advisory services to PSPC. The RAIC will oversee the designation of a Jury, review the selection criteria and advise on the determination of honoraria and prizes.
What is the design competition?
The Block 2 project aims to redevelop the existing property and buildings that comprise the city block immediately south of Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. Block 2 is bounded by Metcalfe, Wellington, O’Connor and Sparks streets, within Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct.
The new and renovated facilities will provide accommodations for Parliamentarians, as well as some retail spaces on the Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall.
The purpose of the architectural design competition is to invite architectural firms to submit design proposals to redevelop Block 2 into an efficient complex of buildings while highlighting excellence in architecture.
Photograph courtesy of PSPC.
Why hold a design competition?
The purpose of holding a design competition is to bolster innovative and exciting new ideas and promote design excellence, all of which reflect on the importance of this significant site. In fact, the original Canadian Parliament Buildings were the result of a design competition held in 1859.
Outline of the Architectural Design Competition for Block 2
The competition is comprised of two separate phases: a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to be followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP).
Request for Qualification (RFQ)
- Interested teams of architectural professionals and subconsultants are invited to submit qualifications and demonstrate they meet the requirements to undertake the project.
- Of the teams that have responded, up to twelve will be invited to participate in the competition.
- During this step, the independent Jury for the design competition is to be announced.
Request for Proposal (RFP) (Limited Design Competition)
RAIC members should take note that the second phase has two separate stages.
Competition Stage 1
- Selected competitors submit an outline of their design concepts.
- The Jury evaluates the design concepts and creates a shortlist of up to six competitors to advance to Stage 2 of the competition.
Competition Stage 2
- Shortlisted competitors submit an advanced design concept for their previously submitted work.
- The Jury will then evaluate each design and select the prize winners.
More Information
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