The floor could not be saved and a replica was installed.ĭuring the Library rehabilitation, which was undertaken between 20, the Library was given a brand-new parquet floor. In 1952, however, a fire in the Library’s dome required 750,000 litres of water to put it out. Remarkably, the parquet floor suffered only light water damage when the Library survived the 1916 fire that completely destroyed Centre Block. Bowes selected different types of Canadian wood, whose rich tones could be used to create striking patterns in the floor. A year later, architect and measurer of works John Bowes travelled to Widder, in Lambton County, Ontario, to buy the wood. The Department of Public Works developed the original design for the floor, which was inspired by a brochure entitled “Parquet and marquetry flooring, ornamental hardwood floor.”Ĭonstruction of the Library was well under way in 1874, when Chief Architect Thomas Seaton Scott decided to use ornamental wood flooring instead of the Portland cement floor originally planned. The planks are laid in various patterns that respect the distinctive architecture of the octagonal-shaped building. The wood used for the short planks in the floor are black walnut, white oak and cherry. ![]() The parquet flooring covers the entire main level of the Library. The Library’s elegant parquet floor is part of its storied past. ![]() When you enter the Library, you are stepping into – and onto – history.
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