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We all know that buildings don't always turn out like the renderings. Last-minute changes and real-life materials can all cause discrepancies between the vision and reality of a project. In our Flash Forward Friday feature, we take a look at how different projects stack up.
Now an architectural marvel in the fast-growing East Village, the new home of the National Music Centre had a number of unique challenges to overcome. Studio Bell has a presence on both sides of 4th Street SE, two forms that are connected by an aerial block that creates a gateway to the revitalized neighbourhood. The dismantling and subsequent restoration and rebuilding of the King Edward Hotel serves as an element of continuity along the streetscape, with its cultural function as a live music venue maintained.
When the National Music Centre began to outgrow its quarters in the historic Custom House Building on 11 Avenue SE, it became clear the organization needed a larger contemporary space to accommodate its expanding programming. They held a design competition that attracted five international architects, eventually appointing Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture to draw up plans for the 60,000-square-foot facility. Working with local firm Kasian Architecture, the artistic illustrations showed the dramatic shape and massing of the complex, which was to be clad in a glazed terra cotta material.
Completed in 2016, the architectural expression of Studio Bell is big and bold. Its iridescent vessel walls gently curve towards the mid-air bridging component — the dynamic sculptural quality of the complex is meant to mimic the acoustic functions and contours of musical instruments. The National Music Centre collections and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame are found inside, with education and public programming, artist in residence programs, a performance hall, recording studio, and broadcast centre.
We will return next Friday with another comparison!
