New Ādisōke public library in Ottawa tops out
Ādisōke, which is set to open in the summer of 2026, is a five-story information hub and cultural crossroad located in Ottawa designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects Inc. in joint venture.
The building will be home to the City’s main public library branch and Canada’s national library and archive. Ādisōke is an Anishinābemowin word that refers to the telling of stories, which is the traditional way that Indigenous peoples share knowledge, culture, and history over generations.
Ādisōke aims to evoke Library and Archives Canada as a keeper of Canadian and Indigenous stories, and Ottawa Public Library’s use of stories to build community and connect people.
The two partners have invited residents and communities to take part in a public co-design process since 2013 to shape their new joint facility in Ottawa. As a result, the architecture stems from a meaningful engagement with residents, Indigenous communities, and Canadians from coast to coast.
“We have designed a facility that is for the people and by the people, depicting the city’s history and natural beauty,” reads Diamond Schmitt’s website. “The building’s shape is reminiscent of the Ottawa River; its stone and wood exterior reflect the escarpment and surrounding greenspace, and the unparalleled views of the city are on display through windows and transparent walls.”
The design connects the two institutions under one roof for the first time and links their spaces with a public forum which offers visitors an array of meeting spaces and resources for information sharing.
The building includes a sky-lit Town Hall gathering space, a multi-purpose auditorium, Discovery Centre for children, spaces for Indigenous communities, Genealogy Centre, Creative Centre, Design Studio, Digital Production Centre, collaboration labs, maker spaces, reading rooms, meeting rooms, and cafés.
Additionally, Ādisōke features an outdoor plaza, terraces, and a Civic Reception Room on the top floor. It also features Canadian and Indigenous cultural and historical stories, shared through public programs, events, resources, and exhibitions.
This building, which is targeting Net-Zero Carbon and LEED Gold certification, will employ climate-resilient strategies and offer access by light-rail and multi-use pathways for both cyclists and pedestrians.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in this process for their input and for their commitment to helping us create a facility that is more than just a building – it will be a welcoming gathering space that will connect all of us together,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.
This new hub, which is expected to receive over a million visitors annually, will be an essential part of Ottawa’s growth and contribute to the social and economic well-being of the local and national communities.
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