Tabaret Hall (Basement) - Integrated Project Dossier (2016)

Erected in 1905 and completed in 1931, Tabaret Hall is the University of Ottawa's most recognized heritage building and inspired the university's logo. Tabaret Hall is identified by its Neoclassical architecture façade, which consists of a portico supported on monolithic columns, ornate trim and a central dome. The building was given its name in 1971 to honour Father Joseph-Henri Tabaret, who was considered the builder of the institution. This building has had multiple functions in the past including student dormitories, a dining hall, a gymnasium, a chapel, along with the typical classrooms and offices. Currently, it serves more as an administrative building, while housing certain departments as well. Tabaret Hall is designated as a heritage building for its historic and architectural values. It was one of the first few buildings in Canadian architecture to be made of reinforced concrete for its fire-proof properties; it is also a good example of the classical Greek style of architecture. The building features a rotunda, six large monolithic columns at the main entrance of the building, and many ornaments designed by the architect, A.O. Von Herbulis. The façade of the building is a symbol of resilience as well as a record of 20th century Canadian architecture and represents advances in material science. The East Wing of Tabaret Hall was the primary focus, due to the fact that the central portion had been previously surveyed. Analysis by our group was done in the basement of the East Wing as well as the exterior façade. This is the Integrated Project Dossier compiled by a group of undergraduate students of the Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Program (Engineers and architects) at Carleton University for the CIVE3207 (ARCN4100) Historic Site Recording and Assessment course in 2016.