Our Speaker was introduced by Glenn Campbell, Program Committee. Jennifer Mallard received a Bachelor of Architecture degree (with distinction) from Carleton University in 1989. She joined Diamond Schmitt Architects, Toronto, in 2000. Ms. Mallard thanked the club for the invitation. Her father was a Rotarian and her family hosted a Rotary exchange student.
The NAC was one of the centennial projects, created as a gift to Canada. It represented a bold confidence as Canada grew as a nation and moved into the future. Construction began in 1968. Opening Day, July, 1969. There were various slides of the original construction and visits by political officials.
The NAC was purposely built in a ‘brutalism’ style and has long been criticized for its ‘bunker’ façade on Elgin St. In 2010, Alexandra Ordolis and Brett Donahue came to the NAC to perform in Romeo and Juliet. They were amongst the top students at the National Theatre School, but they couldn’t find the front door. In 2011, the NAC started thinking about Canada’s 150th celebration. The NAC’s objectives for Architectural Renewal:
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Enhance the visibility and appeal of the NAC, with a warm and inviting entrance that will embrace Confederation Square.
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Create an animated hub along Elgin Street, and reinforce the NAC’s profile, identity, and presence in the National Capital, and the country.
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Respect the architecture and character defining elements of Fred Lebensold’s design.
The 70,000 square foot addition will bring light and transparency into the buidling. This transparency will also connect the creative activity within the NAC to the City of Ottawa. The 225 million dollar renewal represents the biggest investment in cultural infrastructure by the Government of Canada to mark the sesquicentennial. The new project will signal a new entrance, protect view corridors (e.g. War Memorial) and enhance the experience for patrons. The National Arts Centre is Canada’s home of the performing arts. The entry lantern will project images of artists performing at the NAC, and at arts institutions across Canada. The lantern will also be a shared asset for the capital to display images of important national events like Canada Day, Remembrance Day and Winterlude.
On Canada day, 2017, the NAC plans to be on the official itinerary of the Prime Minister, and possible\y included in the Royal Tour. NAC staff are busy coordinating a ribbon cutting, and the lighting of the lantern between 10 and 11 am. There will be a performance of a significantly Canadian performer, open to the public inside the new lobby spaces.