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OTTAWA — The World Exchange Plaza (WEP), located in downtown Ottawa just steps from Parliament Hill, has been transformed.

Design and engineering firm Arcadis undertook the project, which is inspired by Canada’s landscapes and the ethos of the Group of Seven painters.

A key feature of the plaza is its mass-timber architecture, made from sustainably sourced Douglas Fir wood, explains a release.

Other elements include an elevated wooden boardwalk. The plaza is also part of a larger movement toward environmental resilience, as it’s set to be carbon-neutral in 27 years.

“This innovative redesign also focuses on human well-being. With over 400 seats — a 50 per cent increase from the previous design — it accommodates both intimate gatherings and large events,” the release reads.