The Adisoke Library Complex is a five-storey information hub being developed in Ottawa, Canada.
The complex will serve as the joint facility of Ottawa Public Library and Archives Canada.
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Once complete, the facility will house 22 million books, 425,000 artworks and three million photographs. It will also house the fourth-largest library in the world in terms of catalogued items.
The project involves an estimated investment of C$334m ($237m) and is set to open in 2026.
Location
The library complex will be situated at 555 Albert Street on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinà be Algonquin Nation people.
Positioned at the edge of LeBreton Flats, Adisoke can be accessed by all modes of transportation and is within walking distance of two LRT stations, including Pimisi and Lyon.
Adisoke Library Complex design details
The Adisoke Library Complex, spread over an area of 216,000ft²Ìý (20,067m²), is designed to bring together two institutions – the Ottawa Public Library and Archives Canada – under one roof.
The facility’s design concept emerged from extensive public consultations and close collaboration with Indigenous partners, with input from the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, ensuring that the design resonates with the community’s heritage.
The design draws inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape of the Kichi Zìbì Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills, as well as the city’s layered history.
The building’s wavy roof mirrors the flow of the Kichi Zibi Ottawa River, while its stone and wood palette anchors the building in the region’s natural landscape.
The facility’s hybrid structure will comprise almost 100 Douglas fir glulam beams and some 900 sloping and curved prefabricated laminated-timber panels, secured with more than one million nails.
The interior atrium will feature timber‑panel balustrades for stairs and balconies.
The second floor will have a contemporary rendition of a wigwam, the traditional housing for Algonquin peoples.
Expansive glass windows and transparent walls offer sweeping views of its surroundings. To reduce bird strikes, the building’s glass windows, ranging from clear to tinted, will be treated with ceramic frit patterns.
A wayfinding wheel at the Albert Street entrance will incorporate polar orientation and associated colours, recognising the site’s historical significance for the Anishinabe Algonquin people.
Adisoke Library Complex facilities
The Adisoke Library Complex will include a sky-lit town hall, a multi-purpose auditorium and dedicated areas for children and Indigenous communities.
The facility will also have a genealogy centre, a digital studio, a digital production centre and collaboration labs, fostering innovation and learning.
The Research Room will support a range of research needs, including a curated reference collection and workstations for accessing restricted publications.
OPL Community Connections will comprise four small offices where partner organisations can collaborate and deliver essential social services.
The Ottawa Public Library service, Living Ottawa, will be on the second floor, offering historical material documenting the city’s growth. The OPL Collaboration space is tailored for entrepreneurs and students.
Outdoor spaces, such as plazas and terraces, will enhance the visitor experience.
The building will also have a community kitchen and a heritage workshop.
Construction details
Preparatory works at the project site commenced in 2020, and the construction works began in late 2021.
The foundation work was completed by December 2022, followed by the main level’s concrete work in April 2023.
All five floors were completed by October 2023, with the installation of the curved wooden roof starting in December 2023.
Panelling was done by June 2024, and the installation of windows started in July 2024.
Framing and drywalling of the interior walls of the complex began in February 2025.
The project is utilising advanced technologies such as BIM360 for real-time quality checks and SYNCHRO for 4D scheduling, ensuring efficient workflow and conflict resolution.
Sustainability features
Adisoke Library Complex is targeting a LEED Gold certification.
As part of its net-zero design, the project incorporates reclaimed wood, recycled and sustainable building materials, and energy-efficient systems, including solar panels and enhanced air quality filtration.
A green wall and indoor vertical garden further enhance the facility’s ecological footprint, while a green roof planted with native species will cap the complex and connect to the federal district energy system for heating and cooling.
The facility will also feature improved insulation, recycling and composting equipment, electric vehicle charging stations, and extensive green spaces.
The site is also being designed for easy access via public transit, cycling routes and pedestrian trails.
Financing
The funding for the Adisoke Library Complex will come from several sources.
The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Public Library are jointly providing C$173m ($123.36m) for the project, with the city adding a further C$28m ($19.9m) for underground parking.
The government of Canada is contributing C$133m ($94.84m), and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Foundation has donated a further C$1.5m ($1.06m).
Contractors involved
Diamond Schmitt ArchitectsÌýand KWC Architects are responsible for the overall design and vision of the project.
Fast + Epp is serving as the structural engineer for the project, while Arup is responsible for integrating essential systems within the library complex.
PCL Construction is the general contractor overseeing the construction.
Benson Steel and Timber Systems won the contract for the supply of all steel and wood materials for the project.
Eric Lemire Enterprises was contracted for installation works.
Modern Niagara contributed to the building’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Their expertise in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing systems ensures that the Adisoke Library Complex maintains a comfortable environment for visitors while minimising energy consumption.
Spruce Creativity was involved in the development of brand strategy and visual identity for Adisoke.