Description of Historic Place

RR30-Royal Roads Library, set within Hatley Park, is a two-storey building consisting of a small office wing to the east, and a multi-level library wing to the west, both connected by a centrally located, slender, two-storey volume with a main entrance on its north elevation. A large internal staircase off of the central entry volume provides access to the lower levels of the building. The library is a sand-blasted reinforced concrete structure of intersecting rectangular volumes delineated by prominent post and beam frames. Exterior openings within these concrete frames are filled with glass, roughly textured concrete, or cedar siding. The building, originally built for the Royal Roads Military College, is designed in the West Coast Style, with Brutalist influences.

Heritage Value

RR30-Royal Roads Library is a federal heritage building (recognized) because of its historical associations and architectural and environmental values.

Historical value
Built as a library for Royal Roads Military College, the building supports the theme of the history of military education in Canada. Located in the community of Hatley Park, it is an important symbol of the later, post-war evolution of the site as a degree-granting military educational-training campus. It is significant that this was the first building at the Royal Roads military-era campus to be utterly leading-edge in its architectural design, parallel to the advanced architectural projects which were appearing on campuses across the country.

Architectural value
The library is a very good example of the West Coast design style with some Brutalist elements. Compared to military and general federal architecture, this building is unique in its styling. The West Coast style was chosen with the intent that the library blend in with its setting, so as not to compete with Hatley Castle and the historic grounds. Key elements that contribute to the library’s very good functional design include: efficient use of space allowing for shelving, group use, and individual study areas; being an inviting space for people; inclusion of the solarium and windows to provide natural light and views; built-in study carrels and bookshelves; and the book hoist. The exterior distinguishes between public library areas, clad in walls of glass, and the classroom/office spaces featuring walls of concrete or ribbon windows with cedar cladding below. The building functions well as its specific architectural program has the flexibility to meet evolving needs. Functional integration of building and landscape demonstrates a level of consideration given to both aspects of the design. Additional engineering value is provided by the cantilevering of beams and of floors over the pond. Original building materials are mainly still extant, indicating overall good quality craftsmanship and materials. The limited palette of materials, featuring contrast between smooth and textured finishes, is indicative of West Coast design. Designed by Robert F. Harrison and Associates, Architects, a firm with specific expertise in university buildings and libraries, the Royal Roads Library is a very good example of their work, having won a 1972 award of excellence in The Canadian Architect Yearbook.

Environmental value
RR30-Royal Roads Library is well-integrated within its site, which is planted with noteworthy species and specimens, many typical of what is seen in Hatley Park inspired by the Japanese and Asian aesthetic. The building’s terraced form responds sensitively to the sloped site, which was intended to evolve organically. Maturation of vegetation heightens the building’s integration with the landscape. Although some vegetative loss has occurred, the site has been little altered and its character has been retained. Set in Hatley Park National Historic Site of Canada, the library differs in architectural style from the other buildings yet blends well into its surroundings. It is unobtrusive within and sensitive to site, speaks to the historical military function of the setting, and is compatible with the character of Hatley Park. The library’s role at the university and its location within Hatley Park contribute to its being considered a familiar landmark for the community of Royal Roads University and visitors to Hatley Park.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of RR30-Royal Roads Library should be respected:

It’s very good functional design, including:
— efficient use of space allowing for stacks for books, archives and collections, places where small groups can meet for discussions, and individual study areas;
— the solarium and windows to provide natural light and views;
— built-in study carrels and bookshelves;
— the book hoist.

It’s very good West Coast design aesthetic, with Brutalist elements including:
— prominent post-and-beam design, evident on the interior and exterior;
— the building’s low profile, horizontal orientation, and low-pitched roof;
— orientation and interior arrangement that takes advantage of views to the woods and pond with large expanses of glazing and ribbon windows that also bring in abundant light, to visually integrate with the surroundings;
— multi-terraced design that responds to the sloped landscape and allows the Library to achieve a close relationship with the site;
— the cantilevered concrete beams giving the building an impression of reaching out into the landscape;
— exterior elements consistent with the library design, including concrete pony walls, stairs, and built-in furniture (benches integrated into walls);
— concrete scuppers with suspended chain rainwater leaders as exterior expression connecting the building to the landscape on the North elevation;
— the Royal Roads Military College crest imprinted on the exterior concrete wall of the Library;
— the widespread use of exposed concrete throughout the building and the rough materiality of the exterior concrete walls, consistent with Brutalism.

For guidance on interventions, please refer to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. For further information contact the FHRO.

[OCTOBER 2024]

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

RR30-Royal Roads Library is a federal heritage building (recognized) because of its historical associations and architectural and environmental values.

Historical value
Built as a library for Royal Roads Military College, the building supports the theme of the history of military education in Canada. Located in the community of Hatley Park, it is an important symbol of the later, post-war evolution of the site as a degree-granting military educational-training campus. It is significant that this was the first building at the Royal Roads military-era campus to be utterly leading-edge in its architectural design, parallel to the advanced architectural projects which were appearing on campuses across the country.

Architectural value
The library is a very good example of the West Coast design style with some Brutalist elements. Compared to military and general federal architecture, this building is unique in its styling. The West Coast style was chosen with the intent that the library blend in with its setting, so as not to compete with Hatley Castle and the historic grounds. Key elements that contribute to the library’s very good functional design include: efficient use of space allowing for shelving, group use, and individual study areas; being an inviting space for people; inclusion of the solarium and windows to provide natural light and views; built-in study carrels and bookshelves; and the book hoist. The exterior distinguishes between public library areas, clad in walls of glass, and the classroom/office spaces featuring walls of concrete or ribbon windows with cedar cladding below. The building functions well as its specific architectural program has the flexibility to meet evolving needs. Functional integration of building and landscape demonstrates a level of consideration given to both aspects of the design. Additional engineering value is provided by the cantilevering of beams and of floors over the pond. Original building materials are mainly still extant, indicating overall good quality craftsmanship and materials. The limited palette of materials, featuring contrast between smooth and textured finishes, is indicative of West Coast design. Designed by Robert F. Harrison and Associates, Architects, a firm with specific expertise in university buildings and libraries, the Royal Roads Library is a very good example of their work, having won a 1972 award of excellence in The Canadian Architect Yearbook.

Environmental value
RR30-Royal Roads Library is well-integrated within its site, which is planted with noteworthy species and specimens, many typical of what is seen in Hatley Park inspired by the Japanese and Asian aesthetic. The building’s terraced form responds sensitively to the sloped site, which was intended to evolve organically. Maturation of vegetation heightens the building’s integration with the landscape. Although some vegetative loss has occurred, the site has been little altered and its character has been retained. Set in Hatley Park National Historic Site of Canada, the library differs in architectural style from the other buildings yet blends well into its surroundings. It is unobtrusive within and sensitive to site, speaks to the historical military function of the setting, and is compatible with the character of Hatley Park. The library’s role at the university and its location within Hatley Park contribute to its being considered a familiar landmark for the community of Royal Roads University and visitors to Hatley Park.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of RR30-Royal Roads Library should be respected:

It’s very good functional design, including:
- efficient use of space allowing for stacks for books, archives and collections, places where small groups can meet for discussions, and individual study areas;
- the solarium and windows to provide natural light and views;
- built-in study carrels and bookshelves;
- the book hoist.

It’s very good West Coast design aesthetic, with Brutalist elements including:
- prominent post-and-beam design, evident on the interior and exterior;
- the building’s low profile, horizontal orientation, and low-pitched roof;
- orientation and interior arrangement that takes advantage of views to the woods and pond with large expanses of glazing and ribbon windows that also bring in abundant light, to visually integrate with the surroundings;
- multi-terraced design that responds to the sloped landscape and allows the Library to achieve a close relationship with the site;
- the cantilevered concrete beams giving the building an impression of reaching out into the landscape;
- exterior elements consistent with the library design, including concrete pony walls, stairs, and built-in furniture (benches integrated into walls);
- concrete scuppers with suspended chain rainwater leaders as exterior expression connecting the building to the landscape on the North elevation;
- the Royal Roads Military College crest imprinted on the exterior concrete wall of the Library;
- the widespread use of exposed concrete throughout the building and the rough materiality of the exterior concrete walls, consistent with Brutalism.