Ingenium Centre Ottawa building, Southern Ontario science and technology, Canadian architecture photos

Ingenium Centre in Ottawa

23 May 2024

Design: Diamond Schmitt and KWC Architects

Location: Ottawa, southern Ontario, Canada

photo © Michael Muraz

Photos by doublespace photography and Michael Muraz

Ingenium Centre, Canada

The Ingenium Centre, which conserves and showcases the country’s national science and technology collection—entrusted to Canada’s three museums of science and innovation—is officially launching collection tours as part of Doors Open Ottawa on June 1; and will be offering guided tours beginning in summer 2024. Designed by Diamond Schmitt, in joint venture with KWC Architects, the facility consolidates the artifacts of the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum for the first time, while also affording additional repository space for the National Gallery of Canada. The Ingenium Centre is a purpose-built museological storage and conservation facility, a colourful cabinet of curiosities, that conserves and protects this eclectic collection, fusing Canada’s past to its future.

Located next door to the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, the Ingenium Centre presents an opportunity for unparalleled collection accessibility. As the museum displays only approximately 10% of the national collection, providing public access to the Ingenium Centre opens up more than 150,000 objects and nearly two million archival items to discovery.

photo © doublespace photography
The design of the Ingenium Centre is driven by the linearity of the site, framing the view to the Canada Science and Technology Museum and providing visitors with a covered promenade approach. A new public plaza provides shared amenities between the Museum and the Ingenium Centre, creating a space to secure bicycles, sit in the shade of honey-locust trees or enjoy a historic train exhibit on special event days.

photo © doublespace photography
Above this shared entry plaza, colourful fins represent each constituent museum: Green for the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum; Blue for the Canada Aviation and Space Museum; and, Red for the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Inspired by the science of lenticular printing, these fins change colours, depending upon the viewer’s sightline and perspective.

photo © doublespace photography
Colourfully representing these three national institutions is a signal that the Ingenium Centre sits as part of a larger museological community, fostering collaboration and synergetic partnerships between parallel, local, and national institutions. Alongside its vast archive, it is home to a Research Institute, a Digital Innovation Lab, Conservation Laboratories, Conference Rooms, and a publicly accessible Resource Centre. Workshops and workspaces for 175 staff who are actively collecting and conserving historical artifacts for the three museums are also included.

photo © doublespace photography
Equipped with museum-quality interior environments and a dynamic urban presence, the architecture of the Ingenium Centre takes advantage of every opportunity to showcase the collection both inside and out. Inside, a public lobby and sculptural staircase offer exhibition space, a vertical gallery that winds up through the building. Public tours will offer accessibility to archive spaces designed to achieve Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Gold Certification.

photo © doublespace photography
On the exterior, the south façade features glazed vitrines to accommodate interpretive and digital exhibits to the park, while intimate display cases and views into the train storage hall animate the pedestrian promenade.

photo © doublespace photography
We celebrate with the Ingenium Centre as they welcome the public to explore their vast collection as part of a new accessible campus of creativity, discovery, and innovation.

Diamond Schmitt Architects

Diamond Schmitt

Diamond Schmitt – https://dsai.ca/ is a global architecture firm that designs transformative and highly sustainable buildings. Delivering innovative architecture that empowers people, communities, and organizations to harness change for the greater public good, Diamond Schmitt employs a collaborative research process to create bold designs renowned for their exceptional performance and meticulous craftsmanship.

With offices in Toronto, Vancouver and New York, the firm has designed industry-leading cultural and museum spaces recognized for their versatility and striking design, including the Art Gallery of Ontario’s new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall in New York, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John.

KWC Architects

KWC – http://kwc-arch.com/ is an Ottawa-based architectural practice with a demonstrated flexibility and range of expertise. We take great pride in the technical and aesthetic quality of our projects, the caliber of our project documentation and delivery, as well as our commitment to outstanding client service. We carry through this high level of service in all our work, from the adaptive re-use of significant landmark buildings to residential developments, heritage restorations, new community amenity buildings, laboratories, and industrial and commercial work.

Photography by doublespace photography and Michael Muraz

Diamond Schmitt Architects Office

Ingenium Centre, Ottawa, Ontario images / information received 230524

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa Buildings

Contemporary Architecture in Ottawa – architectural selection below:

The Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa – Award News
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects with KWC Architects

photo : doublespace photography, courtesy Diamond Schmitt Architects
The Senate of Canada Building

Ottawa Public Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects

picture courtesy of architects office
Ottawa Public Library Building

The Kipnes Lantern at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa

photo by Doublespace Photography
The Kipnes Lantern at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa