Set to open in 2026, Ādisōke is among the major cultural projects currently underway in Canada. The 20,000-square-metre facility at LeBreton Flats will bring together Library and Archives Canada’s public services with Ottawa Public Library’s new Central branch, creating a shared space for learning, research, and community life in the heart of the capital.

The name Ādisōke was gifted to the facility by the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation and means “the telling of stories” in Anishinābemowin Algonquin. “The word Ādisōke embodies the traditional means by which Indigenous peoples pass on knowledge, culture and history to future generations, and is something regarded with high importance in their culture,” says Craig Ginther, Division Manager at OPL.

The name captures the essence of both institutions. For OPL, stories are a way of sparking curiosity and connecting people. For LAC, stories are preserved as part of Canada’s collective memory. Together, they shape a facility dedicated to knowledge, access, and reconciliation, where Indigenous voices will play a central role.

Origins of a collaboration

The idea of Ādisōke began nearly a decade ago when the City of Ottawa explored the creation of a new Central Library. In 2015, LAC responded to a call for expression of interest regarding a partnership opportunity to combine its public services with the city’s project, a concept later endorsed by the OPL Board and Ottawa City Council. Federal support followed, and by 2018 the vision had gained momentum.

“This groundbreaking collaboration between the City of Ottawa, OPL and LAC is the first of its kind in Canada, creating a major public service hub that unites municipal and federal institutions,” says Craig Ginther.

Public engagement has been a defining feature of the project. More than 7,000 people shared ideas and feedback, with Indigenous engagement central to the process. The communities of Kitigan Zibi Anishnābeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation offered guidance shaping the design, naming, and cultural features.

Architecture shaped by place

Ādisōke’s design reflects its surrounding environment and the cultural importance of its location. Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects designed a building with sweeping curves inspired by the Ottawa River. Natural materials such as stone and wood anchor the structure to the land, and expansive windows fill interior spaces with natural light. Inside, visitors will encounter welcoming, light-filled spaces designed for gathering as well as study. A contemporary wigwam-inspired lodge will serve as a circular space for storytime and teaching. Indigenous gardens and a gathering circle will extend the facility’s purpose outdoors, linking it to its natural and cultural setting.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime new build adjacent to the national parliamentary district, with world class collections, programming, and spaces, and stunning architecture,” Mario Gasperetti, Project Director at LAC says.

Diamond Schmitt, KWC Architects, and PCL:

Gary McCluskie, Principal at Diamond Schmitt shares how, from the moment they began collaborating with the Ādisōke Project Team, the public, and Indigenous communities on this design, its work has been guided by the communities it serves.

“We were inspired by Ottawa’s natural features and the opportunity to align the architecture with the organizations’ efforts to ensure that visitors of all abilities, interests, and backgrounds are welcome and have access to the resources they need,” says McCluskie. “We are creating a facility that is grounded in its landscape and community. Additionally, Ādisōke will bridge the existing downtown and Federal precinct with the emerging redevelopment of LeBreton Flats, acting as a catalyst for its economic growth and a beacon for creativity and social infrastructure.”

“There’s a lot happening inside and outside the building, especially approaching the winter months,” adds Ottawa District Manager of PCL Construction, Mathew Baranowski. “The cooler months and completion of the envelope mean that a lot of the work will move indoors, and our team will focus on the incredible finishes that will highlight the space once the library opens.

We are incredibly proud of our involvement on the Ādisōke project – this new space is going to have such a positive impact on our community here in Ottawa,” adding he can’t wait to see it all come together.

Indigenous design and partnership

The role of Indigenous partners has gone beyond engagement. Their input is embedded in the design, programming, and experience of the building. This includes rooms named in Algonquin, smudging spaces, and public artby Anishinābe Algonquin artists.

“The land surrounding the Chaudière Falls is a sacred meeting place for the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation and other First Nations,” Gasperetti says. “The partnership, formed from engagement with local communities, led to significant design inspiration and a commitment that the facility would be home to ongoing engagement and collaboration.”

A contemporary wigwam-inspired lodge and children’s area will serve as a circular space for storytelling traditions, meeting and teaching. Indigenous gardens and a gathering circle will extend the facility’s purpose outdoors, linking it to its natural and cultural setting.

Wayfinding throughout the building will feature Anishinābemowin Algonquin alongside French and English, underscoring the facility’s commitment to reconciliation and accessibility.

Progress on construction

Construction, led by PCL Constructors Canada Inc., is at an intricate phase and is already transforming LeBreton Flats, with visible progress evident inside and out.

“The year ahead will be filled with activity and excitement as we build momentum toward the grand opening,” says Tara Blasioli, Manager of Ādisōke at the City of Ottawa. “Finishing touches continue on the roof, while intricate wood and stonework are adding character to the façade of the landmark facility. Solar panels have been installed along the exterior walls. Some days they may appear bright and iridescent, while others they look darker and matte.”

Within the building, trades are installing custom millwork, curved glass walls, and advanced electrical and mechanical systems. The central atrium, designed to flood the space with daylight, is taking shape as one of the facility’s most distinctive features.

Economic and cultural benefits

When complete, Ādisōke is expected to draw more than one million visitors each year. Its scale and location will make it a new focal point in Ottawa, with ripple effects on local businesses and tourism.

“As the new home of OPL’s Central branch and the main location for LAC’s public services, Ādisōke will be a landmark destination providing lasting economic and community development benefits for Ottawa and the surrounding region,” says Ginther.

Events, exhibitions, and cultural programming animate the building year-round. Its presence at LeBreton Flats is expected to stimulate new development in the area while reinforcing Ottawa’s status as a national capital with international-caliber cultural spaces.

Commitment to sustainability

For an executive audience, one of the most striking aspects of Ādisōke is its environmental performance. The project has been designed to achieve net-zero carbon and has already received Zero Carbon Building Design certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

“The Government of Canada, LAC, City of Ottawa, and OPL are committed to creating a sustainable, state-of-the-art cultural facility, and Ādisōke is leading the way in sustainable infrastructure development,” Gasperetti adds.

Sustainability features include solar panels, upgraded insulation, triple-glazed windows, green concrete, and a green roof. It connects to the federal government’s district energy system, incorporates bird-friendly glass, and uses Indigenous plants in the landscaping to reduce environmental impact. Indoors, visitors will find abundant daylight and even a vertical garden.

More than a building

For its partners, Ādisōke is ultimately about rethinking how Canadians engage with stories, knowledge, and identity.
“Ādisōke will bring together, under one roof, the vast collections and expertise of OPL and LAC,” Ginther says. “It will be more than a building; it will be a meeting place to encounter the past, understand the present, and shape the future.”

The blending of OPL’s role in fostering community life with LAC’s mission to connect people with Canada’s memory creates a new type of institution. By situating Indigenous knowledge alongside federal and municipal collections, Ādisōke will offer a richer, more inclusive understanding of Canada.

Looking toward opening day

As the opening draws closer, the anticipation is evident among all partners.

“This public facility will offer stunning, accessible space, available for everyone to enjoy and will welcome our local community and visitors from around the world,” says Ginther. “Kids discovering the children’s centre, teens finding their own space, researchers accessing world-class collections, and everyone learning, creating, and connecting. That’s the vision we’re building toward.”

Ādisōke is on track to become a place where past and present converge, where reconciliation and sustainability guide design, and where stories remain at the center. When the doors open, Canadians will step into a facility built to serve generations, carrying forward the meaning its name describes: the telling of stories.

For more information, please visit www.adisoke.ca