NEW ENTRANCE
- A magnificent entrance will feature a hexagonal tower of glass and steel, whose geometry emerges from the NAC’s original design. The entry level will be on Elgin Street and will connect with the Southam Hall mezzanine level. Above the entry level, the exterior enclosure will be made of glazing that is capable of displaying high-definition imagery: stills, video or live feeds of NAC performances.
NEW NORTH ATRIUM
- Public spaces for education, pre-concert gatherings, small concerts and public events on the north face of the building will be expanded. The upper level of the North Atrium will accommodate a new lounge offering stunning views of Parliament Hill, Confederation Square, the Rideau Canal and the Château Laurier.
- The new Atrium Café located in the new North Atrium will include a coffee bar, casual seating, free Wi-Fi and digital displays showcasing the NAC’s current and upcoming performances.
ENHANCED CATERING CAPABILITY
- The Panorama Room, an event catering space that can currently seat 225 people, will be expanded to accommodate up to 600 people in banquet configuration. The total catering, meeting and event capacity will increase from 7,500 square feet to 18,000 square feet.
REJUVENATED EXISTING SPACES
- The Fourth Stage will be renovated to provide a better venue for artists and audiences.
- The project will add sufficient new lobby space and washrooms to bring the NAC into compliance with modern standards for performing arts centres.
IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY
- The project will address many of the NAC’s accessibility challenges, with the addition of ramps, elevators, walkways and wider entrances. The new North Atrium and lobby will be barrier-free in conformity with modern standards of universal accessibility. The project will also greatly improve access to existing NAC lobbies and catering spaces.
LEED PROJECT AND UPGRADES TO EXISTING BUILDING SYSTEMS AND ENVELOPE
- The new addition to the building will be designed and built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
- The scope of the project includes the reconfiguration of some of the existing mechanical and electrical building systems. It also includes mandatory seismic upgrades to the portions of the existing building supporting the new construction.
RENOWNED ARCHITECT FIRM
- After a competitive process, the Toronto firm of Diamond and Schmitt Architects was selected to prepare a schematic concept design by the NAC. The firm has designed some of the most exciting cultural projects in recent years, including the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto (2006), the Maison Symphonique in Montréal (2011) and the New Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia (2013).
