As part of the material selection process for the West Memorial Building Rehabilitation, MTA Associates Carolyn Gillespie and Mary O’Malley, along with team members from Ellis Don, traveled to Italy earlier this month to visit two stone suppliers. In the beautiful cities of Bari and Carrara, the group reviewed stone that will be used in the major public spaces and specialty private areas of the project, which is currently under construction in Ottawa, Ontario.

The hands-on experience allowed the team to gain invaluable insights into the intricate craftsmanship, the extraction and finishing processes, and quality control standards. The stone used for this project will not only stand the test of time, but also tell a compelling story.