The University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, has broken ground on the renewal and expansion of its performing arts facilities.
Diamond Schmitt Architects designed the 45,000ft² (4,181m²) project, which aims to inspire the next generation of artists, musicians and performers.
The design reimagines the north wing of the MacKinnon Building in the heart of campus. It houses the College of Arts and the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI).
A new theatre will be built in the courtyard, fulfilling the original intention for this space. The ImprovLab will be a publicly accessible, multi-use research environment for the presentation, recording and analysis of improvised performance.
The 160-seat black box theatre will have office and research space and be flexible for a range of seating configurations and to research participation.
Renovations will also involve building a new main entrance, creating student spaces, reconfiguring and returning the Luscombe Theatre to a black box performance space, preparing new music practice rooms and upgrades to address both accessibility and acoustical issues.
“This modernisation enhances both the aesthetics and performance capabilities of the MacKinnon Building to engage students and support their creative drive,” said Michael Treacy, principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects. “Acoustically attenuated rooms for practice and performance are complemented by an abundance of light-filled space that opens and connects the building with the campus.”
Construction will soon begin to create the foundations and enclosure of the new building. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2021.
