Description of Historic Place

The Patterson Creek Pavilion is located northwest of the crossing of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Patterson Creek, an inlet of the Rideau Canal. A dignified and sophisticated design, the Pavilion is a one-storey masonry structure with a medium-pitched hipped roof of Spanish Colonial Revival inspiration. Projecting front and rear bays are also hip-roofed. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Patterson Creek Pavilion is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value:
The Patterson Creek Pavilion was constructed in 1923 by the Ottawa Improvement Commission and represents the period of consolidation of both the parks movement and the public health movement during the interwar years in Canada. Currently, the building is used as a shelter for skate-changing in winter.

Architectural value:
The Patterson Creek Pavilion is valued for its very good aesthetics and is typical of the domestic architecture movement of the 1920s. The pavilion’s design reflects the then-fashionable period Revival styles, and is notable for its pan tile roof of Spanish Colonial Revival inspiration. The simple yet elegant design complements the understated picturesque vocabulary characteristic of the park. The Pavilion is a utilitarian structure containing washrooms and storage facilities. Very good craftsmanship and a richness of materials are evidenced in the variegated brickwork, the quoins and the roof.

Environmental value:
The Patterson Creek Pavilion maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and reinforces the picturesque character of its park-like setting along Patterson Creek. It is also a familiar local landmark to local residents and park visitors.

Sources: Patterson Creek Pavilion, Ottawa, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 93-085; Patterson Creek Pavilion, Linden Terrace, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 93-085.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Patterson Creek Pavilion should be respected.

Its very good aesthetics, good functional design and very good quality craftsmanship, for example: the simple, low massing of the symmetrical, one-storey structure.; the exterior walls of vertically-striated, variegated yellow-orange brick; the red clay tile roof, articulated by exposed rafter ends at the eaves, and by the symmetrical brick roof vents mimicking chimneys along the ridge; the corners accentuated with large-scaled alternating corner quoins of artificial stone; the sills and lintels of artificial stone; the wood windows, the interior woodwork and hardware; the interior space configuration.

The manner in which the Patterson Creek Pavilion site maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, reinforces the picturesque character of its park-like setting on Patterson Creek, and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by: its ongoing relationship with the park, Patterson Creek and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway; its design and materials, which harmonize with the picturesque surroundings of the park’s landscape; its familiarity to park visitors through its visibility from the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and its use as washrooms and skate-change facilities in the wintertime.

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.

The Patterson Creek Pavilion was constructed in 1923 by the Ottawa Improvement Commission (OIC). The architect is unknown, although the design is popularly attributed to architect W.E. Noffke. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is the custodian department. See FHBRO Building Report 93-85.

Reasons for Designation

The Patterson Creek Pavilion was designated Recognized for its picturesque siting along Patterson Creek and for its architectural design including the use and quality of materials. It is a utilitarian structure containing washrooms and storage facilities.

Located immediately northwest of the crossing of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Patterson Creek, an inlet of the Rideau Canal, the pavilion has retained its historical relationship to both the Creek and the Driveway. It is an elegant and picturesque component in the park landscape. Architecturally, the pavilion is notable for its dignified and sophisticated design, including its pan tile roof of Spanish Colonial Revival inspiration.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Patterson Creek Pavilion resides in it picturesque placement within a park-like setting, in its simple yet elegant design, and in its materials.

Traditionally, the building has boasted unobstructed views toward Patterson Creek, while being visible from along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway. These relationships should be protected. The use of tall foundation planting would thus be inappropriate, although the planting of trees would complement the setting. Paving materials should reflect the understated vocabulary characteristic of the park.

Typical of the domestic architecture of the 1920s, the pavilion's design reflects the then-fashionable period Revival styles. The massing consists of a one-storey masonry structure topped by a medium-pitched hipped roof. Projecting front and rear bays are also hip-roofed. The simple massing of this axially-symmetrical building is an important heritage feature. Additions would not be appropriate; the compact and elegant pavilion
form would best be respected by maintaining it intact.



The heritage character also resides in the richness of materials. The exterior walls are clad in vertically-striated, variegated yellow-orange brick. Corners are accentuated with large-scaled alternating corner quoins of artificial stone. Sills and lintels, also of artificial stone, provide further accents. Wood windows including the interior woodwork and hardware are largely original and intact. The red clay tile roof is articulated by exposed rafter ends at the eaves and by the symmetrical brick roof vents mimicking chimneys along the ridge. These materials are important features to maintain. Reinstating doors of a period design would respect the original design intent.

The interior plan and finishes of the Patterson Creek Pavilion appear to have been altered. Currently, the building is used as a shelter for skate-changing in winter. Any alterations to the interior should aim to reinstate the former door opening and to improve the quality of interior finishes based on the existing original palette of texture and colour. Materials overtly modern or utilitarian in appearance such as suspended T-bar ceilings or concrete block partitions should be avoided in favour of plaster-like walls and traditional millwork.