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• 1 2025-08-26T19:32:27+00:00 W.E. Noffke 16 plain 2025-08-26T22:21:21+00:00
  Few architects have had as great an influence over Ottawa's built environment as Werner Ernst Noffke. His rich career began in 1901 and continued until his death in 1964. He contributed to the built heritage of cities across Canada and the States, but played an especially significant role in developing Hintonburg's commercial strip. 

  Early Life

  Werner Ernst Noffke was born in 1879, and immigrated with his family to Ottawa from Poland five years later in 1884. His first exposure to architecture as a career was as an informal apprentice in the office of architect Adam Harvey in 1893. He was formally educated in architecture through the Fine Arts Association of Ottawa. His first official experiences working in an architectural office was as a draftsperson for architect Moses Chamberlain Eden in 1896.
  
  In the last few decades of the 19th century, Ottawa's population had almost tripled. Furthermore, around this time there was fervent debate around what Canada's architectural style should be and the general role of architecture in society. Noffke had stepped onto the architectural scene at an opportune time, and helped shape the architecture that defines Canada's capital. 

  The  Making of a Starchitect

  In the early 1900s, architects usually gained clients through word of mouth. This is how Noffke gained most of his clients throughout his career. Noffke was a well-known member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and as many business leaders and prominent figures were also members of this party, he was often asked to design stores, homes, and more for them. He even designed renovations for the house of Sir Wilfred Laurier.
  
  Many recognizable buildings in Ottawa are Noffke's work. Some of these include the Central Post office at Elgin and Sparks, Champagne Bath, the Bank of Ottawa, and the embassy of Vietnam. Noffke's work demonstrates evolving architectural styles and ideals during the first half of the 20th century - his early work features styles such as Georgian and Queen Anne Revival, while his later work includes Art-Deco motifs and an interest in Modernism. His latest works in the 1960s reflect his, and many other architects', interest in postmodernism. Noffke pioneered the use of technologies like reinforced concrete and structural steel in Ottawa's buildings - in fact, he was one of the first architects to design high rises in Ottawa. The Blackburn Bro's Building one of Noffke's designs, was the tallest building in Ottawa when it was first built.

  Noffke's Built Legacy

  200 of Noffke's buildings remain around Ottawa, however this number does not include those that were demolished. Noffke left his mark on Hintonburg as well. The Iona Mansions located at 1123-1131 Wellington are one of his designs, which feature gothic and Tudor elements. Nearby is the Maclean Building, a two-storey brick building which we will soon explore in depth. Check out the map below to see where Noffke's buildings can be found around East Ottawa.
  
  Noffke's architectural firm has transformed across the decades. Today, his legacy is carried on by the architectural firm Pye & Richards - Temprano & Young architects, who continue to shape Ottawa's built environment.

  Timeline of Noffke's Early Work:

  Below is a brief timeline of some of Noffke's early architectural projects, spanning the years 1907 to 1938.
  
  
  Interested in exploring some of Noffke's original drawings of his architecture projects? Click the link below to visit a virtual gallery of Noffke's architectural drawings.
  
  Gallery of Noffke's Architectural Drawings