Ottawa -based Architecture, Urbanism and Conservation firm MTBA Associates has proposed a “radical rehabilitation” for the Prime Minister’s official Residence at 24 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. The proposal, which includes heritage preservation, a new “official wing” addition, and high sustainability performance to a level called “Zero Carbon”, is intended to make good use of existing resources and be an international-level showcase of Canadian know-how, technologies and conservation.
A “deep green” sustainable rehabilitation of the historic place, to leading Canadian standards,*** allows the Prime Minister’s residence to function as a residence. The existing indoor pool building, now reaching 50 years old, is to be disassembled, parts reused, and in its place a new addition, connected by a short underground tunnel to the house, provides for the PM’s “home office” and other official functions and requirements (and a pool in the basement). The contemporary new wing is sensitively designed for the context of the historic place and all work takes advantage of the incredible site atop a cliff overlooking the Ottawa River and the Village of Pointe-Gatineau.