Description of Historic Place

The William Saunders Building, also known as Building No. 49, is prominently sited on the Main Lawn at the Central Experimental Farm National Historic site of Canada in Ottawa. This two-storey, Collegiate Gothic building is articulated by a projecting central entrance tower, matching end wings and a crenellated roofline. The tower, with its Tudor-arched entrance and oriel window rises above the roofline. The walls are faced in monochromatic brick highlighted with stone details, such as belt courses above the basement, the moulded window hoods and surrounds, a coat of arms and carved stonework around the entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The William Saunders Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The William Saunders Building is directly associated with the expansion of the experimental farm system in the 1930s. Responding to the increasingly diverse soil and climatic conditions encountered across the country, the experimental farm system expanded its research facilities to many recently settled areas, resulting in more facilities and a centralized administration. The construction of the building was undertaken as part of the Pubic Works Construction Act of 1934 and is also associated with the creation of jobs by the federal government to alleviate unemployment during the 1930s.

Architectural Value
The William Saunders Building is valued for its very good aesthetic qualities. It is a superior example of the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture built by the Department of Public Works. A calm, monumental building, it combines gothic decoration with a good functional plan. A late-gothic style was selected for numerous federal government buildings in Ottawa as part of the plan for the beautification of the national capital. Very good craftsmanship is evidenced in the masonry work as well as in the building’s formal interior, with its decorative finishes such as terrazzo floors with marble borders and wood doors and trim.

Environmental Value
The prominent William Saunders Building reinforces the present character of its open area setting at the Central Experimental Farm and is familiar within the immediate area.

Sources: Katherine Spencer-Ross, William Saunders Building No. 49, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 94-007; William Saunders Building, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 94-007.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the William Saunders Building should be respected.

Its very good Collegiate Gothic style design, good functional design and very
good materials and craftsmanship, for example: the long, two-storey, flat roofed structure; the main façade articulated by a three-storey central tower and projecting wings, and displaying a Gothic treatment of buttresses, roof-top crenellation, oriel and bay windows; the monochromatic brick facing highlighted with stone detailing, including the belt course above the basement level, the moulded window hoods and surrounds, as well as the carved stonework of the entry and the coat of arms; the traditional ordered layout of the interior; the interior decorative finishes such as the terrazzo floors with marble borders, and wood doors and trim.

The manner in which the William Saunders Building reinforces the character of its open lawn setting at the Central Experimental Farm and is familiar within the immediate area, as evidenced by: its siting, its imposing style and its prominence in front of the Main Lawn; its important status and familiarity within the immediate area, due to the building’s imposing Collegiate Gothic style.

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.

The William Saunders Building was built in 1935 to the designs of Ottawa architect John Bethune Roper, to serve as the new Administrative Building for the Central Experimental Farm. There have been no significant alterations. The building currently houses the Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research. Agriculture Canada is custodian. See FHBRO Report 94-007.

Reasons For Designation

The William Saunders Building was designated Recognized for its architectural design, its environmental significance and its historical associations.

The William Saunders Building is a good example of the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture whose ordered planning and design imparts a calm monumentality to the building. This style, with its horizontal emphasis and use of medieval-derived detailing, was selected for numerous federal government buildings in Ottawa as part of the plan for the beautification of the national capital. The building's interior expresses this formal character with decorative finishes such as terrazzo floors with marble borders, and wood doors and trim.

The William Saunders Building's setting has not been significantly altered and it remains the dominant structure in its immediate open area. While it is slightly removed from the more public buildings on the Farm, the building's imposing style and prominent site contribute to its landmark status within the confines of the Farm community.

The William Saunders Building is directly related to the expansion of the Experimental Farm System as its reached the half-century mark. Responding to the increasingly diverse soil and climatic conditions encountered across the country, the Experimental Farm system expanded its research facilities in many recently settled areas, requiring greater research facilities and a centralized administration. The construction of the building, undertaken as part of the Public Works Construction Act of 1934, is also related to the creation of jobs by the federal government to alleviate unemployment during the 1930s.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage value of the William Saunders Building resides in the quality of its architectural design and in its environmental integrity.

The William Saunders Building is a superior example of the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture built by the Department of Public Works. This style establishes the formal character of the building with its clearly ordered appearance and its fine use of stone detailing to highlight the monochromatic brick facing. The main facade is articulated by a central tower and projecting wings, and displays a Gothic treatment of buttresses, roof-top crenellation, oriel and bay windows. The belt course above the basement level, the moulded window hoods and surrounds, as well as the carved stonework of the entry, oriel window and coat of arms are typical of the Collegiate Gothic, and exhibit a superior level craftsmanship. Masonry conservation expertise should be consulted for any future repairs required to these elements. A number of the early multi-paned casement windows have been replaced, and the exterior metal storm windows, with their one-over-one sash design do not compliment the design intent of the building. At the end of their life, consideration should be given to the replacement of these windows with a more sympathetic design and material, based on historical precedent.

The William Saunders Building is the most prominent structure on the Farm's Main Lawn and its important status is easily distinguished from the nearby utilitarian greenhouses and early workers' residences. The landscaping around the building has matured, but essentially has remained the same. Any changes to the building or setting which detract from its relationship with the open front lawn should be avoided.