The National Arts Centre in Ottawa is characterized by its geometric design language based on triangles and hexagons. The façade is made of exposed concrete with narrow, vertical window slits, while the interior is characterized by hexagonal patterns in the ceilings and floor coverings.

Heritage listed, however there were siginifcant alterations during renovations in 2016–2018. The renovation was part of a $110 million modernization project that included updating the building's public spaces and improving accessibility. The original brutalist architecture was largely preserved, but was supplemented by a new extension: Diamond Schmitt Architects designed three new wings that were added to the building. The new pavilion architecture is clearly recognizable by its custom-designed unitized steel-glass curtain wall façade. 

This building was included in the red list, published in our exhibition catalog SOS Brutalism: A Global Survey (September 2017). After a status review on September 23, 2024, it was reclassified in the online database from red (endangered) to red-blue (endangered and listed).