Description of Historic Place

Building F-16 is a large, two storey, barracks block that faces onto the parade square at the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. The modern, reinforced concrete building is composed of long, horizontal and symmetrical, hip roofed wings connected by a monumental central entrance portico. The entrance has double-height, concrete columns, tall windows and an oversized entablature. The smooth, painted concrete surfaces of the building’s walls are absent of decorative detail, but are enlivened by bands of windows and stringcourses that accentuate the building’s horizontal emphasis. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building F-16 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building F-16 is associated with the post-World War II expansion of the Canadian Armed Forces in order to meet its commitment to international military preparedness under the Charter of the United Nations and the North American Air Defence Agreements (NORAD). Constructed during the post-war phase of development of the former Camp Petawawa to serve as a barracks block for the Royal Canadian Dragoons, the building is representative of the rapid growth of the base between 1950-1959.

Architectural Value
Building F-16 is valued for its good aesthetic qualities. The building is a late example of Modern Classicist styling frequently used for federal government buildings between the mid-1930s and the 1950s. It is characterized by its unornamented classical features, in combination with a streamlined modern effect, and by its use of modern building techniques and materials. The good functional design of the building is demonstrated in its simple interior layout that was based on a standard plan for a 250-Man Mess. The building also demonstrates a competent level of craftsmanship and employed good quality materials.

Environmental Value
Located in an area that is densely populated with administration buildings and living quarters at the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Building F-16 reinforces the military character of its base setting. The building is familiar to those who work, live and visit the base.

Sources:
Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Petawawa, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 95-060 INF; Building F-16, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Petawawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 95-060.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building F-16 should be respected.

Its role as an illustration of the post-World War II build-up of Canada’s Armed Forces to meet its commitments to international military preparedness as reflected by:
-the use of a simple, functional, standard design as an efficient and cost-effective means of accommodating the rapid growth of the military.

Its Modern Classicist aesthetic, functional design, competent craftsmanship and good quality materials as manifested in:
- the simplicity of the building’s overall massing and geometric volumes, its restrained form and smooth surfaces, the absence of decorative detailing, the strong horizontal emphasis created by bands of windows and by string courses on the wings, and the contrast provided by the recessed corners on each facade;
- the symmetry and monumentality of the building’s facade, created by the raised, central, entrance portico, with its double-height columns and windows and oversized entablature, flanked by long, horizontal, symmetrical wings;
- the grillwork pattern in the three tall windows of the entrance portico.
The manner in which Building F-16 reinforces the military character of its base setting, as evidenced in :
-its prominent location facing onto the Worthington Parade Square;
-its compatibility in age and style with the other surviving structure on the Square, Building F104, and with other buildings at CFB Petawawa, including four other 250-man barracks blocks built to the same plan (J101, L103, L104 and P102);
-the retention of its open relationship with the site and the original configuration of the landscaped areas.