Canadian Museum
of Nature
As the first building in Canada created to house a national museum, this structure is a national historic site and the birthplace of Canada’s national museums. RTM was selected to conduct a highly complex heritage restoration of this landmark building’s exterior envelope while maintaining daily operations.
Project Scope
RTM executed a multi-year exterior heritage restoration of this iconic Ottawa landmark. The comprehensive scope was designed to preserve the building’s majestic architecture while fortifying it against the harsh local climate.
Our specialized trades conducted extensive stone masonry restoration, delicate repairs to the historic stained glass windows, and the masterful installation of a new, long-lasting copper standing seam roof.
Notable Details
Beyond the technical complexities of heritage restoration, the primary challenge of this assignment lay in the logistics. The Canadian Museum of Nature remained a fully occupied building throughout the project, housing multiple tenants and hosting active museum visitors daily.
To ensure safety and continuous operation, our in-house scaffolding team designed highly controlled access systems. The success of this massive undertaking relied on the daily, transparent coordination between RTM’s project management team and the owner’s representatives.
Final Result
The completed restoration successfully revitalized the exterior of this national treasure without disrupting its vital public and administrative functions.
Through unparalleled project management and masterful deployment of our masonry, carpentry, and roofing divisions, RTM ensured that the birthplace of Canada’s national museums will continue to stand as a structurally sound and architecturally brilliant monument for generations to come.
