The design for the Ottawa Public Library ? Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility by Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects has been revealed. The facility will be a city-wide resource that offers all Canadians access to a national collection.
Exterior Albert West Entrance – Entre?e ouest de la rue Albert. Photo Credit: Diamond Schmitt Architects
?We are very proud to be revealing the design for an iconic building that truly represents the evolution of libraries as centres of knowledge and culture around the world. It?s also a great joy to share this design with the thousands of residents and Canadians who provided so much inspiration at each stage of the process. This has been a wonderful experience for all of us,? said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects. Located at 555 Albert Street, the library will include a genealogy centre, children?s discovery centre, reading rooms, creative centre, meeting rooms, and cafés.
The development represents a public co-design process called Inspire555 that asked residents, Indigenous communities, and Canadians from coast to coast to provide input and comment at every stage of design.

Public input informed the shape of the building, its entrances, the interaction and location of its spaces, the interior look and exterior material, as well as sustainable features.
?The reveal of the design of OPL-LAC Joint Facility illustrates the power of connections between institutions ...