Learn about the development of Ottawa. The walk includes important buildings that bear witness to the architectural effervescence of the 1950s through the 1970s. What influence did French architect Jacques Gréber have on the city's development, and why is "Brutalist" architecture so disliked? Let Gene Kinoshita, Barry Padolsky, Nicolas Miquelon, Alain Miguelez, David Geanes, Sarah Gelbard and Robert Smythe tell you the story of the capital in all its diversity and complexity.

(2:55) 1. Rideau Canal

(9:08) 2. Confederation Square

(18:00) 3. Supreme court of Canada

(24:41) 4. Bank of Canada

(33:47) 5. National library of Canada

(39:58) 6. Garden provinces and territories

(48:21) 7. The Juliana

(56:07) 8. Sparks Street mall

(01:01:28) 9. Ottawa main public library

(01:10:53) 10. National Art Centre

(11:20:6) 11. National Art Centre - P.2

For an immersive listening experience, download the Portrait Sonore app on ⁠⁠iOS⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Android Play⁠⁠.

🎧 Support Portrait Sonore 

By donating, you support the creation and dissemination of quality works, ensure the continuity of our projects and our team, and encourage the creation of exceptional sound archives and testimonies.

⁠⁠Make a donation. ⁠

🎧 Credits 

Ideation, research, writing, direction: Sophie Mankowski • Ottawa research liaison, proofreading: Janine Debanné • English proofreading: Ron Allen • Sound design and music, voice: Antoine Bédard  • Music: Math Rosen • Music: My Dad vs Yours • Music: Crush Buildings •  Voice-over: Rhys Forgie • Mixing: Simon R. Tremblay • Illustrations: Serge Rhéaume • Production: Portrait sonore

Produced with fundings from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Royal Architectural Institute (RAIC)