The Ottawa Public Library has over thirty branches spread out across the city. One of them I occasionally get to is the Rideau branch, a distinctive looking building finished in 1933, set at the southern boundary of the Lowertown area. I paid a visit on a couple of different sunny days in March. The architectural style of the place appeals to me, particularly the beams of the interior ceiling.
Out front is an art installation by artist Mark Thompson. Lattice is one of four such transparent cubes along Rideau Street, each filled with LED lights that slowly shift colours. There are also historical plaques here, and a little statue in the front garden, which had gotten considerably less snow covered when I made a return visit.
I'll bet that Lattice is very interesting with the lights.
ReplyDeleteI really like the doors.
ReplyDeletePretty building and a nice sculpture outside!
ReplyDeleteReading is golden. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely sculpture in the last photo!
ReplyDelete...the cute statue looks like my Granddaughter.
ReplyDeletelove the statue ... reading is the best. ( ;
ReplyDelete@Linda: I have to photograph these cubes by evening.
ReplyDelete@Whisk: me too.
@Marianne: it is good that the building continues its use.
@Revrunner: it is!
@Marleen: indeed!
@Tom: I had to choose angles- I think it was originally a fairy, but the wings are gone.
@Beth: I agree.
I like the building and I love the sculpture! Y'all put some effort into your buildings. We build boxes, paint them, and that's it! :(
ReplyDeleteThirty libraries? Fantastic for Ottawa. For 100000 people we have 3 branches.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that sculpture!
ReplyDeleteI love the weathered looking door.
ReplyDeleteIt is a marvelous building and I do love those old doors. Enjoyed all your photos, thank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteI like the old beams inside!
ReplyDeleteAny place with books makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteLibraries are such a Good Thing. Love the sculpture of the girl reading, too.
ReplyDelete@Lowell: this one's a good one.
ReplyDelete@Red: that's a legacy of amalgamation back in 2000- all of the former region of Carleton was turned into the city of Ottawa, including the cities, the small towns and villages, all of it. So we ended up with quite a number of libraries in one system.
@Sharon: me too.
@Bill: as do I.
@Denise: you're welcome!
@RedPat: yes, they're quite an unusual aspect to my eyes.
@Mari: I agree with you.
@Jenny: they are indeed!
This has the warm and cozy look of a great library. The sculpture is wonderful - and the lattice piece looks like it would be very interesting at night.
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteLibraries are good places to visit, both for books and photographs!
ReplyDeleteI love the sculpture of the girl reading.
All the best Jan
It is nice! I like the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteNever thought I'd call a statue adorable, but that one is!
ReplyDeleteI love that statue! I'd be happier if the tulips were blooming, though!
ReplyDeletePublic libraries are the best!
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Nice looking library.
ReplyDeletePictures of ceiling and stairs are winners! Sculpture of girl reading book is pretty as well.
ReplyDeleteFascinating design for a library. And love the pose of the reading figure in the last photo.
ReplyDelete@Kay: I have to come back in the evening and photograph all four of these cubes.
ReplyDelete@Linda: thanks!
@Jan: me too.
@Lois: it's popular!
@Norma: it certainly is.
@Jennifer: they seem to be emerging now, though no bulbs yet. Another week or so, and we'll see where they are.
@Janis: they are a godsend.
@Orvokki: it is. I think it's the nicest one in the city, at least of the branches I've been to.
@Klara: thanks!
@Gemma: it's quite distinctive.