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Planned as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations, the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts (SLTC) had a belated opening in 1970. Designed by Gordon S. Adamson and Associates (since renamed Adamson Associates Architects), the centre has been home to two auditoriums, the Bluma Appel Theatre which was long the main stage for Canadian Stage Company productions, and the smaller Jane Mallet Theatre which has been used mainly for recitals and chamber concerts over the years.
While renovations to the theatres have occurred a couple of times over the intervening decades, The City of Toronto has had public consultations in recent years to determine how to best modernize the space again in order to make it more accessible and up to the standards of the performing arts industry, with a more thorough re-imagination of the facilities the focus of the recent efforts. To that effect, TO Live and CreateTO, the agencies managing Toronto’s major civic theatres and real estate portfolio respectively, have partnered to reimagine the centre through an international design competition. Now, five proposals have been shortlisted and are under consideration, with details on the St Lawrence Centre's special website from now until March 3.
While we are providing only one image of each of the shortlisted entries below, you can find eight images per entry plus a PDF submission via the immediately preceding link.
Brook McIlroy, Trahan Architects, and Hood Design Studio
The proposal from Brook McIlroy, Trahan Architects, and Hood Design Studio focuses on a weaving theme. The seven-storey structure would contain flexible open spaces that do away with physical barriers and promoting artistic expression. The Main Stage Theatre and Acoustic Hall on the ground and lobby levels would utilize automated assisted performance equipment to allow for different configurations and uses. The design calls for a mix of copper, wood, and glass for a welcoming feeling.
Diamond Schmitt, Smoke Architecture, and MVVA
Flowing over to a water theme, the proposal from Diamond Schmitt Architects, Smoke Architecture, and MVVA draws inspiration from Lake Ontario. The five-storey design features flowing and circular shapes for its various spaces. These would include the acoustical hall and main theatre, as well as a restaurant connecting to the street and lobby, and a child-minding area connected to the outdoor terrace. The proposal also notes that this would be the first zero-carbon performing arts centre in the country.
Hariri Pontarini, LMN Architects, Tawaw Collective, Smoke Architecture, and SLA
Hariri Pontarini Architects, LMN Architects, Tawaw Collective, Smoke Architecture, and SLA have submitted a proposal all about transparence. The glass of the façade would provide a transparent view of nature for those inside. The triple-height lobby is designed to be wood-clad and open for visitors. On the 4th floor of the five-storey building, lobby and acoustic hall would lead to a large terrace allowing for highly-visible performances and receptions. It would also connect to the terrace on the third floor.
RDHA, Mecanoo, Two Row Architect, and NAK Design Strategies
Borrowing from the Indigenous philosophy of “A Dish with One Spoon,” the design from RDH Architects, Mecanoo Architecten, Two Row Architect, and NAK Design Strategies strives to encourage coexistence between people of different backgrounds. The straight lines of the façade are intended to contrast with the shapes of the indoor spaces. The third of the five floors would include a bridge connecting to Meridian Hall. The bridge itself would host performances and exhibitions. The third and fourth floors are designed to also include the acoustical hall in addition to various studio and rehearsal spaces.
Zeidler Architecture, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Two Row Architect, and PLANT Architect
Finally, there is a journey from past to present to future. Zeidler Architecture, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Two Row Architect, and PLANT Architect have submitted a proposal that retains portions of the existing building and looks ahead with sustainable features. The Main Theatre would be visible to all Torontonians, with an acoustically-sealed glass wall on the ground floor that can be made transparent as needed. The Acoustical Hall would include an outdoor public terrace that pedestrians can enter from the street. The seven-storey design also includes ecological roofing, renewables sources for much of the structure, and a mix of open space and passive conditioning for better air quality.
By employing a theme for each proposal, the five designs each aim to bring their own personality and features for the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts. As mentioned earlier, the SLTC Next website provides multiple images and PDFs expanding on each of the submissions. A public event to hear more about the entries is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 at the SLTC, with doors opening at 5 PM and presentations beginning at 6 PM. Virtual attendance of the event can be secured through registering at at SLTC Next website, linked above, where your thoughts about the design proposals can also be recorded.
The winning design, to be judged by "a jury of leaders in the fields of planning, urban design, architecture, indigenous design, and landscape architecture, is to be announced the week of March 13, 2023, after which a more fully detailed version of the winning entry will be presented to the Executive and City Council in June, 2023.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | Hariri Pontarini Architects |
