The Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust in Charlottetown, P.E.I., which operates as Confederation Centre of the Arts, has received the 2015 Prix du XXe siècle for its contribution to national heritage.
The honour promotes public awareness of outstanding Canadian architecture and landmark buildings of the 20th century. The National Trust for Canada, in partnership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), will present the award at a gala, taking place on June 5 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary.
Designated a National Historic Site in 2003, the Centre was built in 1964 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Confederation Conference and the Fathers of Confederation, becoming the country’s first centennial building.
The Centre has since prompted numerous funding programs that supported more than 800 building projects as part of centennial celebrations in 1967.
“In the lead up to celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation, it is appropriate that this year’s prize recognizes an outstanding mid-century heritage achievement conceived to celebrate that centennial,” said Natalie Bull, executive director of the National Trust. “We are pleased to use the Prix du XXe siècle to bring national attention and understanding to the heritage of the modern movement in Canada.”
Architect Dimitri Dimakopoulos, of the Montreal firm Affleck, Desbarats, Dimakopoulos, Lebensold, Sise, now known as Architecture 49, designed the building, which houses a theatre, library, art gallery and memorial hall.
