Canadian Skyline Thread III - Page 50

gaviscon · #**981** Posted **Mar 23, 2024, 10:16 PM**

Something always irks me about Ottawa's city colours..

J.OT13 · #**982** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 11:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralLeeTPHLS

Is Dow's Lake normally this low for this time of year?

They partially drain the Rideau Canal in winter for the skateway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaviscon

Something always irks me about Ottawa's city colours..

The browns, greys and hospital yellows?

MolsonExport · #**983** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 3:04 PM**

One thing is a truism in all Canadian cities, but especially Ottawa. If there is a concrete-clad ugly skyscraper, it almost always has the Canada-Flag government logo at the top. Canadians must feel incredible pride at knowing that the government uses ugly skyscrapers to house its workers.

Loco101 · #**984** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

One thing is a truism in all Canadian cities, but especially Ottawa. If there is a concrete-clad ugly skyscraper, it almost always has the Canada-Flag government logo at the top. Canadians must feel incredible pride at knowing that the government uses ugly skyscrapers to house its workers.

I've thought the exact same thing. I think that a lot of it can be explained by the fact that there was a large expansion of the federal bureaucracy in the 1960s and 1970s where those large concrete building were what were constructed for any large office building in that era.

The government office I work at when I'm not working from home is a bland grey two-floor building that was renovated around 2010. It was originally built as a Woolworth's store, later became a Woolco with a cool restaurant and then a Bargain Shop until being vacant for a few years. There used to be escalators which I wish they would have kept to make things fun. Even the interior is quite boring and very basic. A lot of very bare walls and no decor or artwork.

TorontoDrew · #**985** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 6:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaviscon

Something always irks me about Ottawa's city colours..

It gives me ea bit of a KW/Moncton vibe with the colours.

TorontoDrew · #**986** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 6:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

One thing is a truism in all Canadian cities, but especially Ottawa. If there is a concrete-clad ugly skyscraper, it almost always has the Canada-Flag government logo at the top. Canadians must feel incredible pride at knowing that the government uses ugly skyscrapers to house its workers.

I can't think of one in Toronto but I'm sure we must have one tucked away somewhere.

TorontoDrew · #**987** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 6:33 PM**

Foggy Day by chrisd666, on Flickr

MolsonExport · #**988** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 9:28 PM**

She ain't pretty, she just looks that way (fugly)

WhipperSnapper · #**989** Posted **Mar 24, 2024, 11:06 PM**

Another telltale sign. It's not 4900 Yonge Street. It's 4900 rue Yonge Street

J.OT13 · #**990** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

She ain't pretty, she just looks that way (fugly)

I kind of like it. Better than a lot of Ottawa Federal Buildings of similar vintage. I feel like this is something you might see in DC.

What's the name and/or address?

Loco101 · #**991** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 6:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

She ain't pretty, she just looks that way (fugly)

I know that one. I'm in contact with a number of people who work there. I've been asked if I want to work there or even just work on a project there for a month or two. I always decline.

harls · #**992** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 7:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I kind of like it. Better than a lot of Ottawa Federal Buildings of similar vintage. I feel like this is something you might see in DC.

What's the name and/or address?

Complexe Guy Favreau in MTL.

Nouvellecosse · #**993** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:08 PM**

That's kind of an interesting structure in how it's transitional between late modernism and early pomo. The structure itself isn't terrible but the urban form is lacking. A very long, somewhat squat structure that stretches a whole city block with little street-level interest on a major thoroughfare.

Rico Rommheim · #**994** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:32 PM**

Guy-Favreau's main crime is that it necessitated the destruction of most of Montreal's chinatown to be built. The complex itself I find quite okay. It's far better than the 60's-70's government brutalism that was being alluded to.

Acajack · #**995** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

I've thought the exact same thing. I think that a lot of it can be explained by the fact that there was a large expansion of the federal bureaucracy in the 1960s and 1970s where those large concrete building were what were constructed for any large office building in that era.

The government office I work at when I'm not working from home is a bland grey two-floor building that was renovated around 2010. It was originally built as a Woolworth's store, later became a Woolco with a cool restaurant and then a Bargain Shop until being vacant for a few years. There used to be escalators which I wish they would have kept to make things fun. Even the interior is quite boring and very basic. A lot of very bare walls and no decor or artwork.

I also think the government exercises architectural restraint because it doesn't want Canadians to think they are splurging on swanky digs for public servants on the taxpayer's dime.

Martin Mtl · #**996** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:54 PM**

Image: https://www.instagram.com/sky.semijon.aerial/

MolsonExport · #**997** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 1:56 PM**

The warm glow of Montreal's lights...always appreciated.

J.OT13 · #**998** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 4:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

Guy-Favreau's main crime is that it necessitated the destruction of most of Montreal's chinatown to be built. The complex itself I find quite okay. It's far better than the 60's-70's government brutalism that was being alluded to.

It's a common theme under Pierre Trudeau's rapid Federal expansion. Maison de Radio-Canada destroyed a working class neighbourhood in Montreal, Place du Portage and Terrace de la Chaudière destroyed huge swaths of Hull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I also think the government exercises architectural restraint because it doesn't want Canadians to think they are splurging on swanky digs for public servants on the taxpayer's dime.

If they occupy/build basic, uninspiring buildings, they are cheap. If they occupy/build architectural gems, they are wasting tax payer dollars. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

J.OT13 · #**999** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 4:08 PM**

From urbottawa on Skyrise.

https://skyrisecities.com/forum/thre...e.10479/page-3

https://skyrisecities.com/forum/thre...rgy-bbb.37541/

Nouvellecosse · #**1000** Posted **Mar 25, 2024, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's a common theme under Pierre Trudeau's rapid Federal expansion. Maison de Radio-Canada destroyed a working class neighbourhood in Montreal, Place du Portage and Terrace de la Chaudière destroyed huge swaths of Hull.

If they occupy/build basic, uninspiring buildings, they are cheap. If they occupy/build architectural gems, they are wasting tax payer dollars. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

How 'bout they occupy/build basic, inspiring architectural gems? Perhaps people want intelligence and creativity in design rather than opulence. There is such thing as good design without it being luxurious, but creativity and innovation require skill and effort which
aren't always the government's strong suits. So it ends up being that the only way to do something nice is to throw lots of money at it.