New Life for Strutt House

Strutt House to be restored in time for 150th anniversary of Confederation celebrations

The National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Strutt Foundation announced their partnership to protect and preserve the Strutt House, a unique 20th century architectural treasure located in Gatineau Park. Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, and Ms. Titania Truesdale, Managing Director of the Strutt Foundation, signed a lease and announced plans for the property today.

“The Strutt Foundation is uniquely placed to preserve and promote this landmark of Canadian modernist architecture in Gatineau Park,” said Dr. Mark Kristmanson. “This is a tangible example of the NCC’s commitment to conserve modern built heritage in our Capital.”

This split-level house was designed and built in 1956 by the Canadian modernist architect James W. Strutt. Located within Gatineau Park’s Eardley Escarpment conservation area, the NCC purchased the property in 2010 as part of its strategy of acquiring and consolidating lands within Gatineau Park. Strutt House was designated a “recognized” federal heritage building in 2011. The NCC has granted the Strutt Foundation a four-year, ten-month lease.

“Strutt House will have a new life thanks to our collaborative agreement with the National Capital Commission,” says Titania Truesdale, Managing Director of the Strutt Foundation. “Our goal is to have the building stabilized and ready for visitors to the site during the 2017 celebrations in the Capital Region, and to secure a permanent vocation for this unique and valuable modern heritage building.”

The Strutt Foundation will work on establishing a long-term conservation plan for the house and surrounding property. The Foundation and the NCC have also agreed that Strutt House will showcase one of the NCC’s pavilions during the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

NCC is the steward of heritage buildings in Gatineau Park and across Canada’s Capital Region. The NCC manages approximately 1,300 buildings in the region, many of which have historical significance. More than 70 buildings managed by the NCC are federally designated heritage buildings.

The Strutt Foundation was established in 2008 following the death of James W. Strutt, by his family, friends, and colleagues. Through scholarship, research, mentorship and public interaction programs, the Strutt Foundation supports projects and individuals that make meaningful contributions to critical modernist architectural discourse. The Strutt Foundation supports research, education, and conservation efforts of all modern architectural heritage structures within central Canada.

For more information on the Strutt House, please visit the website of the Strutt Foundation.