Description of Historic Place

Building 6, also known as the former Latrines, is located at the Quebec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada, set slightly back from the Chapel of the Royal 22nd Regiment. The building is a rectangular, solid, one-storey building with a hipped roof, an element similar to other buildings at the site. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 6 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 6 illustrates the defence of British North America from the constant threat of invasion by the United States. Building 6 is also associated with the development of Québec since the Citadel had a major impact on the civilian administration during the last century.

Architectural Value
Building 6 demonstrates good aesthetic in its simple, utilitarian design. A good functional building, its building system was simple: masonry walls supporting wood trusses and a hipped roof. Building 6 demonstrates good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value
Building 6 reinforces the historical military character of its fortress setting and together with the associated adjacent buildings is a well-known local landmark.

Sources: Rhona Goodspeed, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Building Report 88-161; The former Latrine (Building 6), The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 88-161.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 6 should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: its small, rectangular, one-storey form with minimal ornamentation; its hipped roof supported by wood trusses and covered in painted sheet metal; its solid masonry walls with irregular courses and stone windowsills.

The manner in which Building 6 reinforces the defensive historical military character of its fort setting at the Québec Citadel and is a known landmark, as evidenced by: its design, materials and association with other nearby buildings, which complement the location in Quebec’s old defence system; its visibility within the Citadel and ongoing relationship to nearby defence works.

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 former latrine was built between 1829 and 1831 under the supervision of Elias Walker Durnford. The building, which today is used to give presentations and slide shows, is set back slightly from the Chapel of the Royal 22nd Regiment. Building 6 is part of the Citadelle of the city of Québec, a national historic site. The building is owned by the Department of National Defence. See FHBRO Report 88-161.

Reasons for Designation

Building 6 was designated a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building primarily for its environmental qualities.

Through its design and materials, the former Latrine building is compatible with the other buildings at the Citadelle. Together with the former Powder Magazine, which has been converted to the chapel of the Royal 22nd Regiment, and the former Cooperage, which has been converted to a more meaningful Memorial, the Former Latrine creates a significant architectural whole. Its initial relationship with the nearby structures, particularly the former Powder Magazine and its protective wall, has been preserved.

Character-Defining Elements

Designed to be used as a latrine, Building 6 is primarily a solid, squat, functional building similarly to the two adjacent buildings. It is a one-storey building with a rectangular plan. The building system is extremely simple: masonry walls supporting the wood trusses that hold up the hip roof, the predominant type of roof at the Citadelle. These original features on which the heritage value of the building is based should be preserved.

Apart from the windowsills, which are also of stone, the elevations have no decorative elements other than the openings. Most of the openings are on the front façade, which has one door and three windows; there is also a window on the north elevation. The wood windows have small panes, and the door is paneled. The coursing of the stone is irregular. The hip roof has four slopes covered in painted sheet metal assembled with wood batten seams. The two chimneys are also covered in painted metal.

These character-defining elements should be respected. In order to preserve the integrity of the masonry, it is recommended to ensure ongoing maintenance of the joints and replacement of damaged stones with stones similar to period stones in type, size, colour and coursing. The form of the windows, door and roof should be based on original elements to preserve the architectural character of the building.

The former Latrine was placed behind the former Powder Magazine in the far northeast corner of the protective wall. This arrangement has been kept over the years and should continue to be maintained.

For guidance on interventions, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.

2001.08.27