Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects
Marianne McKenna, FRAIC
The new TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning is the final phase in the Master Plan to build a new home for the Royal Conservatory (RCM). KPMB, under the direction of Marianne McKenna, has been working with the RCM to realize the vision set forth in the 1991 award winning Master Plan. In September 2009, the final phase of the master plan culminated with the completion of Koerner Hall, a 1,135 seat performance venue. The overall project involved the progressive restoration of McMaster Hall and the construction of a new TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning to create a unique hybrid of a teaching and rehearsal facility and destination concert venue with three major performance venues.
photo: Tom Arban
photo: Eduard Hueber
photo: Tom Arban
photo: Eduard Hueber
photo: Eduard Hueber
"When you consider all the architectural, landscape and urban forces at work immediate to this site it is remarkable how deftly KPMB has managed the forms, the places within, the experience of moving through this assembly of buildings, the dialogue between old and new materials and the presentation of the project from so many fronts. This is a lovely and lively project."
"The links between the historical building and the new one are very well composed. The choice of a rigorous and transparent construction for the new addition actually sets off very nicely the restoration of the old Victorian looking building. The presence of the Conservatory on the university campus is very inspiring, and the way it complements the “philosophers’ walk” is remarkable."