Ottawa Architecture Week 2023 runs from Sept. 25–29, with a number of events—both architectural and not—happening across the city.
This year’s theme is City of Play: Fun in the Capital? which is sure to spark some heated debate about the city that many of us call home—but that can’t quite shake its reputation as a staid city. (Believe me, the editors and contributors of Apt613 are trying).
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Christopher Moise, Chair of the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects, describes Ottawa Architecture Week as “a festival that welcomes everyone to explore architecture, urbanism, art, and design in Ottawa.”
“Ottawa Architecture Week invites you to immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of the transformative power of play within the realm of architecture,” Moise wrote via email. “Playful architecture creates environments that inspire joy, promote social interaction, and enhance wellbeing.”
The festival will particularly focus on “playful architecture” in Ottawa, and how concepts of entertainment and recreation can be woven into the city’s urban fabric.
A youth design workshop. Photo provided.
Events for youth have already started—you can still catch a youth design workshop in Barrhaven tomorrow—and events run every day from Sept. 25–29. One highlight for practicing architects, urban designers, and civically-engaged enthusiasts is a panel discussion called “City of Play: Fun in the Capital?” moderated by Apt613 Board member Penny Lee Colbourne at Library and Archives Canada. Panelists are Dr. Sarah Gelbard, Graeme Hussey, Dominic Laporte, Court Curry, and Laura Mueller.
There are also walking tours, a Wes Anderson movie night at the ByTowne, and a Pecha Kucha–style session to cap off a week of discussion about play.
For more information about Ottawa Architecture Week, check out their website here.
