Headlines
News
Design selected for fallen firefighter monument
Sept. 10, 2010, Ottawa - The National Capital Commission, the Canadian Fallen Firefighters
Foundation (CFFF) and the Government of Canada announced Thursday the
winning concept for the construction of the Canadian Firefighters
Memorial which will be erected on LeBreton Flats. The team, comprised
of artist Douglas Coupland from Vancouver and Mary Tremain, partner at
PLANT Architect Inc. from Toronto, won the Canada-wide competition with
their concept “We Were There”.
September 10, 2010
By
Carey Fredericks
“I wanted the monument to convey deep emotion and simple dignity,”
said artist Douglas Coupland. “I want people to eat their lunch there,
read, play with their kids — and each time they do so, a small part of
themselves will reflect on firefighters and what they do every day when
they go to work.”
The jury, comprised of public art and architecture professionals
and representatives from the CFFF and the NCC, emphasized that the
winning concept will encourage site interactivity and exploration by
visitors. The concept addresses all four seasons with a thoughtful
vegetation strategy and landscape forms — colourful and alive — and
depicts a sense of renewal over time.
“We are pleased that after 7 years we finally know what the memorial
will look like. The Coupland/Plant Architect Inc. design is quite
dramatic and a fitting memorial for the more than 1000 firefighters who
died serving their communities in all corners of Canada since the
1840’s,” said Robert Kirkpatrick, President of the CFFF. “The
Foundation is very thankful for the support of the Canadian Government
and the National Capital Commission and we can hardly wait to start
construction.”
“The NCC is proud to participate in this national commemoration
project which honours the sacrifice of men and women in the fire
service who have served, and continue to serve in communities across
Canada,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “The
winning concept will create a magnificent gathering place for visitors
and for the families of fallen firefighters.”
In the coming months, the concept will be refined to meet the
requirements of various federal laws and regulations and approvals by
different committees. Construction will begin in the summer of 2011 and
the monument should be unveiled in September 2012.
Print this page
