Kìwekì Point

Revitalizing a historic Ottawa landmark landscape

Kìwekì Point is a transformed new civic space on an elevated point in the heart of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Accessible pathways and a new pedestrian bridge connect Major’s Hill Park to Whispering Point, a 33-meter-high architectural lookout that provides unobstructed views of Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills. The location offers visitors an opportunity to reconnect with the city’s natural environment and Algonquin cultural values.

The project was commissioned and overseen by the National Capital Commission (NCC), with landscape architecture led by Janet Rosenberg & Studio (JRS). In addition, a new perimeter retaining wall, safety rails and an updated stormwater management system were installed to encourage greater use of the path by the community. EXP provided multidisciplinary engineering and specialist services for this transformative and important civic project.

Sustainable stormwater management techniques

Kìwekì Point’s pathways are elevated to provide visitors with unobstructed views over the guardrails around the point. EXP’s civil team completed the storm drainage, stormwater management and site servicing design. The stormwater management design included runoff collection and the use of an underground bioretention infrastructure system to collect, filter and store rainwater beneath trees, which promotes tree growth. This low impact design will help improve air quality and preserve the site’s natural scenery for decades to come.

EXP’s mechanical team designed an innovative glycol snow melt system that was integrated into the design of the bridge. In the winter, this system will improve visitor safety and reduce the need for snow clearing operations. An electrical and mechanical room was tucked out of sight at the base of the pedestrian bridge to support this system.

Foundational work for safety and longevity

EXP’s electrical team brought power through the bridge girder from Major’s Hill Park for the electrical and mechanical room, site lighting and bridge handrail lighting. In addition, EXP’s geotechnical experts provided input into the design of the bridge foundations and perimeter retaining walls of the site. Environmental engineers from EXP consulted on the reuse of the soil within the site to maintain our commitment to sustainability while suiting the site’s specific needs.

Services

Civil, Geotechnical, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical