Part of:

People:

Kuwabara Payne Mckenna Blumberg Architects (archive creator)

Title:

Kitchener City Hall Competition, Ontario (1989-1993)

Date:

1989-1993

Level of archival description:
Project

Extent and medium:

3,765 drawings (including reprographic copies)
12 photographic materials
3 paintings
2 models

Scope and content:
This project series documents the winning competition entry and subsequent construction for Kitchener City Hall in Kitchener, Ontario from 1989-1993. The office identified the project number as 8928.
This project consisted of a U-shaped civic building comprised of a circular rotunda in the centre, an office tower to the right, the council chambers to the left, and two rectangular arms on either side to create the arms of the U. These elements, which wrapped around a large reflecting pool that doubled as a skating rink, were visually separated but coherent in their design and use of materials. Located on the block between Young, College, Duke and King Streets, the interior and exteriors of the property were designed for city government, but also for the larger public with community, public spaces, and open interaction with local government as key design concepts for the project. After entering the Civic Square outside the building, patrons can pass through the main portico, into the Interior Civic Square were the round Civic Rotunda rests in the centre. The rotunda’s interior was designed for use as a public gathering space, where events and activities could be held. The top of the rotunda had sandblasted glass windows with patinated copper frames, letting natural light shine into the large space below. A staircase from the main Civic Square led to an exterior terrace that wrapped around the top of the rotunda. The Administrative Office Tower was ten-storeys with a mechanical penthouse, and was used for civic offices. The Council Chamber was comprised of limestone with refinished metal panels forming a curved roof on top. The two wings along the sides of the property contained tenant areas, a restaurant, information offices, alderman’s offices and the mayor’s office, among other spaces. The back of the property had landscaped exteriors and outdoor play areas for the building’s daycare.
The project is recorded through drawings, photographic materials, presentation paintings and models dating from 1989-1993. The drawings consist of concepts for both the competition entry and the subsequent construction of the project. These include sketches, base maps and area surveys produced by the city and contractors, presentation boards and paintings, plans, elevations, sections, perspectives, details and axonometric drawings. There are also photographic reproductions of presentation drawings. The photographs show finished interiors and exteriors and the project model.

Reference number:

AP056.S1.1989.PR08

Arrangement:
Materials in this project series have been compiled from different accessions and some have been arranged by material type.

Location:

Kitchener Ontario Canada