This September will mark four years since I moved to Ottawa. I’ve always been an adventurer at heart, drawn towards exploring new places, learning as much as I can and simply being curious about the world around me. I enjoy learning about the history, art, oddities, and culture of new places, adding new bits of information and facts that I can keep in my pocket for later. 

With being endlessly curious, it’s led me to wonder where it lends itself to my creativity. Is it because I am creative that I am drawn to a thirst for knowledge? Or is it because with curiosity comes the ability to be creative? 

Now, when it comes to Ottawa, that curiosity has only grown. I have learned my fair share since moving to town, but not to the full extent that satisfies my inquisitiveness. That is why, when my partner asked me, “Would you like to go check out Doors Open Ottawa tomorrow?” I didn’t hesitate: “YES!” Thanks to a friend of ours, there was already a route planned out and I could hardly contain my excitement for the chance to learn more about Ottawa.

First Stop, Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada, a place that holds almost if not every piece of information published and documented in Canada. We toured the first, second, third and seventh floor. The first floor had beautiful poster cards displaying the new Library building (which is in the process of being built, said to be done later this summer). It will be called Ādisōke, which translates to ‘storytelling’ in Anishinaabe. I found the process of moving Canada’s archives and the art of planning a move at this scale fascinating. I was captivated by the overall design of the poster cards and the branding that went into this specific project. Beyond the cards, there was a beauty to the building. 

With marbled walls and stairs in the lobby, glass etchings adorning the doorways above each room. It all made me wonder what the design process looked like for the interior decorators who had built it in the early 2000s.

On to Parliament

Specifically, the construction of the Parliament Welcome Centre. Now, this was a project I had no prior knowledge of. Made me wonder about all of the design projects currently underway that we have no idea about! As of right now, there is a giant twenty-three metre deep hole in the ground with what looked to be a portion of the groundwork laid. It was insane! Though I had little to no idea what I was looking at construction-wise, I could admire all of the moving parts in order for the design and construction of this building to come together.

Next stop, the Saintlo Ottawa Jail

This part of the tour was one I was dreading and excited for all at the same time. I like to say I am a good judge of reading a room, and these ones felt heavy. Before seeing it, I had no idea that this piece of history hid in between the tall buildings of downtown Ottawa. This jail holds the title of the last public hanging to take place in Canada. The section of the jail for the tour was the gallows and actual cells and as interesting as it was… I am in no hurry to go back.

Next was the Royal Canadian Mint

I am a big fan of collecting knick-knacks and small items I find beautiful or that make me happy. I learned that this facility specializes in collectors and specialty coins, where the one that prints everyday loonies and toonies is located in Winnipeg. Being able to see the process of refining 99.999% pure gold and silver into collectible coins was intriguing. All the while, I was wondering about who gets the privilege of designing these coins? While I’m not a coin collector myself (yet), I can now better understand the fascination.

My favourite was the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat

Getting the chance to learn a little about the Ismaili culture and how that played a vital role in the design of the building was such a unique and enlightening experience. The building was designed by a famous Japanese architect, Fumihiko Maki. When designing the architecture, was told by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to take inspiration from a rock crystal. He was also to include concepts such as openness, togetherness and transparency. For example, a way that transparency is represented is having no visual obstruction of any pillars when looking from one side of the building to the other. This detail made me wonder how other architects and designers would have interpreted or shown the idea of “transparency”. Looking to the middle of the building is a calming, gorgeous outdoor garden. The garden has the ability to feed itself with its rainwater collection system, with the help of hydrophobic windows. The garden is a place of calm and peace, designed to eliminate all unwanted noise. You could hear a pin drop in there. Impressive, considering the location of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat sits in the heart of Ottawa. Overall, this building taught me attention to detail in all fields of design is beautiful and admirable.

Finishing with Rideau Hall

What an impressive estate full of gorgeous gardens, unique interior design, detailed history and interesting facts. For example, one of the dinner menus on display had sea urchins from Nunavut. As we made our way through the impressive rooms, I began to think about the historical figures who once walked the same path. What did they think? Why were they there? As I pondered and walked I realized that all of the art was indigenous. This is because whoever is the current Governor General gets to pick all of the art that hangs in Rideau Hall during their time in office.

Why does all of this matter?

There are endless subjects I could write about connected to my experience at Doors Open Ottawa. Though the one that made the most sense is how curiosity, even if I don’t do anything tangible with the knowledge gained, is being tucked away for my creative subconscious to recall another day. Samuel Miller said it perfectly, “I am nothing but a mosaic of the people I’ve met & the things they’ve carried”. Curiosity is what fuels creativity. Without people being able to ask why, we wouldn’t have innovation or a need to express our questions and thoughts through art. Not only ‘art’ in the traditional sense, but also in areas of policy, planning, organization, architecture, construction, design systems, and culture. Curiosity is the first step towards creativity.