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In a recent article about landmark libraries around the world, we talked about the construction and high-quality design of the new Calgary Central Library which is currently emerging in the East Village, the city's newest neighbourhood. Just around the corner at the intersection of Ninth Avenue SE and Fourth Street SE, another remarkable building is taking shape. The Allied Works Architecture-designed National Music Centre—renamed Studio Bell earlier this year—is indeed bringing another established institution and outstanding work of architecture to an area that was mostly brownfields and decrepit buildings a few years ago.
As the national cultural organization is preparing to move to its new 15,000-square-metre home by the summer of 2016, photo updates on our Forum show the progress made on the seven-storey building. After almost three years of construction, the $168-million CAD facility now straddles Fourth Street SE, thanks to a bridge connecting the east and west sections of the building on either side of the street. The project also wraps around the historic King Edward Hotel, a heritage property which has been restored to its original 1905 look and integrated into the modern structure. It will eventually become a performance venue and office space, with two rooftops repurposed as outdoor patios.
The new structure will house a 300-seat auditorium, broadcasting and recording facilities, a distance-learning education centre and classrooms, sound labs, exhibition spaces, and artist residences. The final facade is beginning to take shape, as it is gradually covered by metal tiles featuring different shades of grey and copper, depending on the light and angle. While the vertical portions of the exterior walls are being coated with two different types of dark cladding, the middle curved portion is receiving a much lighter treatment with golden and copper-coloured tiles.
The architecture of the new National Music Centre is inspired by the organization's vision to create a grand international hub for music and technology, representing both the emergence of Calgary on the Canadian and international art scene. Brad Cloepfil from Allied Works Architecture stated that he was inspired by Canada's natural landscapes when designing Studio Bell. In 2014, it received the 61st Annual Progressive Architecture Award from Architect Magazine, which recognizes design excellence and innovation.
Further information and renderings of the project can be found in our Database file, linked below. If you would like to join the discussion, visit the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
