Tabaret Hall - Integrated Project Dossier (Third Floor) (2016)

Tabaret Hall is located in the heart of the University of Ottawa’s campus at 550 Cumberland Street. This location puts Tabaret Hall steps away from Ottawa’s downtown core and the Rideau Canal. Tabaret Hall is named after Father Joseph-Henri Tabaret under who’s leadership Bytown College became the University of Ottawa. Construction on the building started in 1904 at the same site as the original building, which was destroyed by fire in 1903. Tabaret Hall is a reinforced concrete building, likely due to concrete’s fire resistant properties and the fear of another fire. It is also one of the earliest examples of reinforced concrete buildings in Canada. The central section of the building was completed in 1905 and the wings were added in 1914 and 1922. The building was designed by A. O. Von Herbulis from New York who was inspired by the Washington capital building. This influence can be seen throughout the building and in particular, in the glass dome in the center that was finally completed in 1970. It can also be seen in the iconic façade with its six large ionic pillars and the triangular pediment and in the massing of the building. Tabaret Hall is central to the University of Ottawa and is so important to its image that it’s iconic front façade inspired the school's logo. The building has housed a variety of facilities since its construction such as a gymnasium, dining area, dormitories, classrooms and offices. Throughout its life, Tabaret Hall has inspired thousands of students and is a symbol of the institution. 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. The project focused on recording the third floor.