Chteau Carleton? Architecture students take stab at hotel addition

Two years of conflict over plans to expand the historic FairmontChteau Lauriergot Carleton University architecture professor Mariana Esponda thinking.

Why not inviteher third-yearstudents part of a unique program in conservation and sustainability to come up with their own proposals for thelandmark, implementing everything they're learning in the classroom?

"[I wanted them] to be sharp in their creativity. To really understand the context of theChteau, being near Major's Hill Park, Parliament, the world heritage site of the [Rideau] Canal," saidEsponda.

"I thought it was really important to respect that and understand that. And also to understand the evolution of theChteau."

'They have to be respectful'

The hotel's owner, Largo Investments has been trying to redevelop the hotel's deteriorating parking garage since 2016.

Architects Alliance, the firm tasked with designing the actual addition, was sent back to the drawing board three timesbefore getting approval in principle this summer from the city's heritage experts.

Inspired by that controversy, Espondagave her students three weeks to come up with a contemporary interpretation of the building that wouldn't diminish its stature.

"They have to be respectful. Their addition has to be subordinate," she said.

Modelsof the eight proposals will be on display for two days at Carleton's school of architecture, beginning Thursday at 2 p.m.

Here's a glimpse at some of the proposals.