The Royal Society of Canada

Located in historic Centretown, the 1895 red brick “Walter House” is a heritage building formerly used as a bed and breakfast. After its acquisition by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), DS Studio was invited to lead a heritage renovation architecture project in Ottawa that would breathe new life into the building and align it with the needs of a modern office.

Our approach centred on improving functionality while celebrating the building’s historic character. We aimed to retain the warmth of the residential space while layering in a scholarly ambiance that reflects the RSC’s academic mandate – an example of how contemporary meets heritage architecture. The original red brick interior structural walls became features that infuse the space with tactile warmth, balanced by clean, modern details and a light palette.

The new addition, built with salvaged original brick and colour-matched new materials, subtly distinguishes itself through a stack bond pattern – quietly modernising the form while respecting the Walter House façade and existing streetscape. The result is a thoughtful adaptive reuse of an institutional building, one that preserves authenticity while supporting growth.

To support a variety of events, the ground floor was reimagined with a minimal system of beams and columns, creating a flexible layout. Custom millwork and movable furnishings – key to institutional interior design in Ontario – allow for smooth adaptation between uses. With its versatile event space and inviting public presence, Walter House now offers a model for interior architecture for public