National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario (1983)
Dates of creation
1976-1989
Level of archival description
Project
Extent and Medium
295 drawings (including 257 reprographic copies)
3 photographic materials
0.375 l.m. of textual records
Scope and Content
This project series documents the design and construction of the new National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario from 1983-1988. The office identified the project number as 8303.
In 1977, Parkin Architects Planners won a limited architectural competition for their design of the new National Gallery of Canada. However, after cited lack of funds, and controversies over the chosen site as well as how the competition was run, the newly formed Canada Museums Construction Company sought another design and architect for the new National Gallery. The building site was also moved from its original location near the Canadian parliament buildings on Wellington Street to the corner of Sussex Drive and St Patrick Street. Eventually, Moshe Safdie, in joint venture with Parkin Architects Planners, were chosen as the architects for the project. Parkin was the minor partner in this joint venture and his firm's work seemed to focus more on construction than design. The dispute over this decision can be found in the textual records of project series AP018.S1.1976.PR23 in this fonds. This project was commissioned by Public Works Canada and the Canada Museum Construction Company, both federal government agencies.
The project is recorded through drawings, photographs and textual records dating from 1976-1989. The drawings consist largely of structural and construction drawings for the project. Some drawings in this project series were prepared by Public Works Canada. The textual records for this project include specifications, financial records, change order documentation, correspondence, interoffice letters, documentation on the competition controversy and competition reports. The textual records also focus heavily on a dispute between Parkin/Safdie and the client regarding the architects' professional fees.
Materials in this project series have been compiled from different accessions and/or arranged by material type.
Conditions governing reproduction
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright to materials from accession AR1997:0021. Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Location
Ottawa
Ontario
Canada
Related units of description
Records for related projects are also included in this fonds, see:
AP018.S1.1976.PR23, National Gallery of Canada, Limited Architectural Competition, Ottawa, Ontario;
AP018.S1.1978.PR07, National Gallery of Canada, Extended Site Study, Ottawa, Ontario;
AP018.S1.1980.PR11, National Gallery of Canada, East - West Memorial Buildings Feasibility Study, Ottawa, Ontario.
Note that most of the design drawings for this project were made by Moshe Safdie and are held at McGill University's Canadian Architectural Collection archive.
Title: Sketches, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
20 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 36 x 30 cm
Sheet (largest): 114 x 60 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Tower frame drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
2 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sections, plans, paving patterns and structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
17 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 43 x 29 cm
Sheet (largest): 141 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
14 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 124 x 84 cm
Sheet (largest): 175 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Plans, sections, elevations and details, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
11 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 124 x 43 cm
Sheet (largest): 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, elevations, building grid, plans and parking concept drawing, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983 - 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
28 reprographic copies with annotations
2 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 39 x 30 cm
Sheet (largest): 142 x 104 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans, site plan, parking plans, elevations and cross section, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
10 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 76 x 41 cm
Sheet (largest): 130 x 88 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings and floor plans, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
21 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
15 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 124 x 84 cm
Sheet (largest): 162 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Plans and exterior perspective, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
16 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 100 x 77 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, sections, floor plans and layouts, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983 - 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
17 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 84 x 68 cm
Sheet (largest): 160 x 85 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
11 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 126 x 86 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
9 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 140 x 87 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings issued for formwork and concrete placement tenders, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
10 drawings
2 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
4 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 77 x 54 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Precast tender set of plans, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
20 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Site plans, floor plans and sections, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
14 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 109 x 77 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Pour break plans, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
7 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
5 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Annotated structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
4 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural study drawing, floor plan and sketch sections, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 61 x 46 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
4 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 84 x 69 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Entry hall plan and section, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
2 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 92 x 61 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Elevations for model construction and war museum elevations prepared by Public Works Canada, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 62 x 21 cm
Sheet (largest): 61 x 33 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Aerial site photograph, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: photographs
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
1 photographic material
Dimensions:
Sheet: 76 x 76 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketches, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: circa 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
4 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 32 x 30 cm
Sheet (largest): 62 x 48 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Schemes 4 and 2a plans, sections and presentation drawings, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1983
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
18 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 105 x 76 cm
Conditions governing reproduction:
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright. Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Gift of Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1984 - 1989
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containing specifications, a billing summary, gallery diagram drawings, and change order documentation.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
2 reprographic copies
0.135 l.m. of textual records
Conditions governing reproduction:
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright for materials from accession AR1997:0021 (Folders 16-18). Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Folders 13-15:
Don de John C. Parkin et Jennifer A.C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin and Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Folders 16-18:
Don de Jennifer A.C. Parkin/
Gift of Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Dates of creation: 1976 - 1988
Form: textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containing change order documentation, documentation on professional fee dispute with the client, client correspondence, interoffice letters, documentation on the competition controversy, research on specialist consultant Peter Rose, and the board of assessors' report on the competition.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
2 photos
0.24 l.m. of textual records
Conditions governing reproduction:
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright for in materials from accession AR1997:0021 (Folders 01-12). Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Folders 13-19:
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Folders 01-12:
Don de Jennifer A.C. Parkin/
Gift of Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Related units of description:
This box includes materials from many National Gallery of Canada projects in this fonds. See the project series-level note for a list of projects.
