Canadian Building Trades Monument

Landmark, Monument, Public Art Installation

""Working with HGH Granite was a real delight! With a tight deadline around an international conference for the Monument to be unveiled by [then] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, we were lucky to work with such a dedicated and professional crew. Don was always prepared to go the extra mile and we were extremely pleased with the quality of the work! HGH Granite helped us create a wonderful monument for future generations to enjoy.""

Vanessa Paschakarnis, Project Manager, Intercontinental Sculpture Inc.

Project Specifications

Client

Intercontinental Sculpture Inc.

Designer

Location

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Granite

Cambrian Black

The Canadian Building Trades Monument is a permanent public art installation located in Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa. Created by Intercontinental Sculpture Inc., the monument was unveiled on May 16, 2017.

The installation honours the men and women who build Canada, and consists of a public plaza incorporating sculptural and topographical elements, engraved benches, lighting, and a commemorative plaque. The paving design includes complex concave and convex granite elements, which required careful detailing and precise installation.

A central feature of the monument is a pair of oversized plumb bobs, constructed from Cambrian Black granite and mounted on stainless steel pins. Traditionally used in construction, the plumb bobs reference alignment and precision, while symbolizing the relationship between natural forces and human skill.

HGH Granite worked closely with Intercontinental Sculpture Inc. throughout the project, sourcing and supplying the granite and supporting the fabrication process to meet the design and technical requirements of the installation. This included coordination to ensure consistency across multiple elements and alignment with project timelines, particularly in advance of the monument’s official unveiling.