Symbolic nine roofs

The Ottawa Chinatown arch will have nine roof sections. Nine represents eternal life, a suitable wish for the Emperor, so his Royal Arch has nine roofs. This will be the only nine-roofed arch in North America.

A section of straight roof is to the right. A curved section is being built to the left. Small forms made of wood and wedges is being built into which concrete will be poured.

A section of right roof being formed. From such little wedges of wood, from scraps and off-cuts from the construction site, are the forms made. Once the concrete sets, the forms are knocked out leaving the appearance of wooden beams holding up the roof.

Forms being put in place for the cement roof end.