For many years, Ottawa's National Arts Centre remained as frozen in time as the statue of pianist Oscar Peterson that greets passersby on its Elgin Street flank. But the brutalist classic by Fred Lebensold, originally commissioned by Prime Minister Lester B Pearson to celebrate Canada's 1967 centenary, will be infused with new architectural life just in time for next year's celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation.
Toronto based architects Diamond Schmitt's new design will open up the centre to the public realm, increasing pedestrian and public engagement and transforming the bunker like building into a community crossroads. But renovating the beloved brutalist structure, conceived in concrete with a rigourous geometry as a series of stunted towers that reference the surrounding rugged terrain of craggy escarpments and Canadian Shield, is no mean feat.
The NAC was designated a national historic site of Canada in 2006 and is situated across from Confederation Square, the Rideau Canal and near the parliament buildings. 'People have often remarked that it is unfortunate that the NAC turns its back to the city,' said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects. 'Our design will change that. The NAC will finally face the city and its most important public space, Confederation Square.'
The NAC's new transparency will be highlighted by a glass tower extending the geometry of the original architecture and marking the new entrance. A new North atrium will provide public space for education and pre concert gatherings and an upper level lounge will offer views of confederation Square and Parliament Hill. The Elgin Street edge, where Mr. Peterson's statue sits currently, will be animated by a new fourth stage which will serve as a community venue for music.
Extensive interior glazing will open up the relatively windowless building, while plans for video and film projection onto the glass tower will illuminate the exterior, making the new NAC both a local and national cultural beacon.
The transformation aims to improve connections between the site and the city, and add transparency to the design
The robust, geometric concrete structure will now have the addition of a new marquee tower
The elegant redesign is created by Canadian firm Diamond Schmitt Architects
The project is slated for completion in 2017, as part of the celebrations for the country’s 150th anniversary
INFORMATION
For more information on Diamond Schmitt Architects visit the website
-
Pininfarina Battista Reversario is a new one-off electric hypercarThe all-electric Pininfarina Battista Reversario is joining its aesthetic inverse in an ultra-select car collector’s garage. We take a look at a car built to a very precise order
-
Fernando Jorge’s fluid diamond earrings show his curve appealDiscover Brazilian jewellery designer Fernando Jorge's snake-like silhouettes and graphic shapes
-
Abreham Brioschi debuts Ethiopia-inspired rugs for NodusAbreham Brioschi teams up with luxury rug experts Nodus to translate visions from his heritage into a tactile reality
-
Downs House II inspires West Coast Modern campaign in VancouverDowns House II, currently on the market in Vancouver, inspires a West Coast Modern campaign to save the modernist landmark
-
Toronto’s Rolex boutique wows with dynamic façadeThis Rolex boutique in Toronto features a dynamic, wavy façade in CNC-cut limestone created by local architecture studio Partisans
-
Promenade Samuel-de Champlain is a riverside boulevard championing urban greenPromenade Samuel-de Champlain in Quebec gives the city’s river back to its community, transforming a previously neglected urban space
-
Chez Léon is a contemporary Canadian retreat in the Quebec countrysideThis Canadian retreat, an elegant update of the classic cabin in the woods, is part ski lodge, part tree house, combining traditional materials and stunning views with a light footprint
-
House in High Park is a Toronto home to be discovered slowlyHouse in High Park by Ian MacDonald Architect is a new-build home in Toronto that takes a problematic plot and transforms it into an exhilarating, contemporary residence
-
This Québec school evokes a calming atmosphere in tune with natureThis redesigned Québec school inspires a new paradigm in its architecture genre by creating a welcoming, home-like and nature-inspired environment
-
Canvas House’s wavy brick façade stands out in its suburban Toronto contextCanvas House by Partisans brings a wavy brick façade to its sleepy Toronto suburban neighbourhood
-
Discover Dyde House, a lesser known Arthur Erickson gemDyde House by modernist architect Arthur Erickson is celebrated in a new film, premiered in Canada
