National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is the only bilingual, multi-disciplinary performing arts centre in Canada and one of the largest in the world.

The NAC presents 1,300 performances a year in Music, Dance, Theatre, and Contemporary Music. The NAC rejuvenation established new transparency and connection with the city. The transformation included improved spaces for performance, new wings for audience and presentation events, and a visible presence and identity in the capital and Canada as a whole.

The new wings are constructed of an exposed wood structure and ceiling coffers of Douglas fir and framed on a custom-designed glass curtain wall system that pushes the limits of glass innovation. With floors of Ontario limestone, the new lobby is formed as a series of six major spaces, each shaped to support a wide range of program events. A marquee tower designed to extend the original architecture’s geometry into the 21st century marked a new entrance. Public space for education, pre-concert gatherings and small concerts occupy the new North Atrium. An upper level Lounge takes in views of Confederation Square and Parliament Hill. A transformed Fourth Stage, which serves as an incubator for theatre and music, animates the NAC’s presence along Elgin Street.

Photos courtesy of DSAI.