Description of Historic Place

Laboratory Services Building No. 22, is one of two modern research buildings facing Carling Avenue at the northern perimeter of the Central Experimental Farm (CEF). The three-storey, brick building has a classically-based symmetrical façade with a projecting, two-storey central entrance containing a steel and glass entry wall. The building’s horizontal emphasis, banded windows and stair towers at either end all contribute to its modern appearance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Laboratory Services Building No. 22 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Laboratory Services Building No. 22 is associated with the expanded building program of the federal government during the post-World War II period. It is also associated with the high level of public and government support for scientific research during the postwar period. Laboratory Services Building No. 22 illustrates the postwar development phase at the CEF, during which large research buildings, constructed in the modern styles were oriented towards the northern perimeter.

Architectural Value
Laboratory Services Building No. 22 is valued for its good, modern aesthetic design, and is typical of mid-20th century federal modern buildings. A classically-based, symmetrical façade, with a centrally-placed monumental entrance, is combined with a modern, horizontal emphasis in the overall massing and window treatment. The building’s layout of corridors, office space and laboratories demonstrates a good functional design. The use of brick cladding with concrete accents were typical building materials used by the government during the 1950s, and reveal good craftsmanship. The building incorporated the standard construction materials used for postwar federal buildings.

Environmental Value
Laboratory Services Building No. 22, along with the K.W. Neatby building is part of a distinctive pair of research buildings facing Carling Avenue in Ottawa. The building reinforces the character of its open greenspace setting and is a familiar building within the immediate area.

Sources:
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, NOTES 96-128.

Laboratory Services Building, Building #22, Central Experimental Farm. Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 96-128.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Laboratory Services Building No. 22 should be respected, for example:

Its federal modern style design, good functional design and good materials and craftsmanship, for example:
Its adherence to the Federal Modern style of architecture, as expressed through its symmetrical facade, horizontal massing and monumental entrance. The high, central entrance is a two-storey, brick-clad projection, with a recessed steel and glass entry wall, etched with a coat of arms and framed with precast concrete trim and paneling. The entrance is flanked by horizontal bands of windows, each contained within precast concrete surrounds and linked by precast concrete panels. At either end of the building, stair towers feature square, punched, window openings and precast concrete surrounds; The use of multi-chromatic brick cladding with precast concrete accents; The straightforward layout, with central corridors providing access to laboratories and offices on either side; The use of reinforced concrete for the structure, terra cotta for the interior divider walls, terrazzo flooring in the entrance and corridors, and aluminum handrails on the front entrance stairs.

The manner in which Building #22 reinforces the character of its open greenspace setting at the experimental farm and is a familiar landmark within the immediate area, as evidenced by:
Its horizontal massing, modern design and materials, which complement the adjacent K.W. Neatby building and harmonizes with surrounding buildings on Carling Avenue; Its visibility due to its orientation towards the northern perimeter of the CEF, so that its front entrance faces Carling Avenue.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

Building #22 was constructed in 1954-7 as the Plant Products Laboratory for the Science Service Branch of the Department of Agriculture. The building was designed by the Department of Public Works staff under the direction of Chief Architect E.A. Gardner. The interior of the building and its mechanical services have been repeatedly renovated to ensure that laboratory facilities remain up-to-date. The exterior of the building has been altered by the 1980s addition of a one-storey chemical storage area, the 1990 addition of a three-storey structure to accommodate mechanical services, and the 1996 addition of a one-storey structure to accommodate staff during interior renovations. The latter addition, while intended to be temporary, has become permanent. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAF) is the custodian. The building has been in continuous use as laboratories and offices since 1957. The structure is a Level 1 cultural resource located within the Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site.

Reasons for Designation

Building #22 has been designated 'Recognized' because of its historical, architectural, and environmental significance:

Historical Significance
Building #22 is associated with the expanded building program of the federal government during the post war period, and the high level of public and governmental support for scientific research during the postwar period. Building #22 also illustrates the postwar development phase at the Central Experimental Farm (CEF), during which large research buildings, constructed in the International or Modern styles, were oriented towards the northern perimeter.

Architectural Significance
Building #22 typifies mid-20th-century Federal Modern building design. A classically-based symmetrical facade with centrally-placed monumental entrance is combined with a modern horizontal emphasis in the overall massing and window treatment. The use of brick cladding with concrete accents, and the fairly conservative treatment of the main entrance and fenestration, were typical design elements used by the Department of Public Works during the 1950s. The building's original layout of corridors, office space and laboratories has been largely preserved. Building #22 incorporated standard construction materials for postwar federal buildings. After extensive and repeated interior renovations, the interior construction remains, but is no longer visible.

Environmental Significance
Building #22 has maintained its original orientation towards Carling Avenue and the northern perimeter of the CEF despite many minor site changes. With the K.W. Neatby building, it is part of a distinctive pair of research buildings facing Carling Avenue. While Building #22 is not open to the public, its Modern style, highly visible location on the edge of open fields, together with the unusual proliferation of laboratory exhaust pipes on its roof, give it a certain landmark value to the numerous passersby.

Character-defining Elements

The heritage character of Building #22 resides in the following character-defining elements:

- Its adherence to the Federal Modern style of architecture, as expressed through its symmetrical facade, horizontal massing and monumental entrance. The high, central entrance is a two-storey, brick-clad projection, with a recessed steel and glass entry wall, etched with a coat of arms and framed with precast concrete trim and paneling. The entrance is flanked by horizontal bands of windows, each contained within precast concrete surrounds and linked by precast concrete panels. At either end of the building, stair towers feature square, punched, window openings and precast concrete surrounds.

- The use of multi-chromatic brick cladding with precast concrete accents.

- The straightforward layout, with central corridors providing access to laboratories and offices on either side.

- The use of reinforced concrete for the structure, terra cotta for the interior divider walls, terrazzo flooring in the entrance and corridors, and aluminum handrails on the front entrance stairs.

- Its orientation towards the northern perimeter of the CEF, so that its front entrance faces Carling Avenue.

All maintenance and repair work, as well as future interventions, should respect these character-defining elements.