Royal Conservatory Of Music - Telus Centre for Performance & Learning (KPMB)

[Observer Walt]

^ I continue to think that Varsity Stadium was a mistake. It could have been shifted a bit to the south (sacrifice a parking lot at its south end), to allow for a streetwall on Bloor, instead of the very anticlimactic gap that's there now.

However, what's done is done, and it won't be changed any time soon.

Back to topic: the RCM is a truly fantastic building as it stands now. I love a project that merges old and new, treating both respectfully. RCM does that, and it stands close to the National Ballet School as an example of absolutely great architecture. I'll look forward to the completion of the big concert hall.

 

[adma]

I love a project that merges old and new, treating both respectfully.

Well, with qualifications. If you remember, they had to tear down the rear spiral stair tower...

 

[Urban Shocker]

... and most of the west side of McMaster Hall is now blocked from view, when approached along Bloor.

 

[ganjavih]

... and most of the west side of McMaster Hall is now blocked from view, when approached along Bloor.

Yeah, I think that's the big blunder of the design.

 

[ProjectEnd]

Chugging along here.

They have removed one of the construction trailers.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

May 12th Update

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, then click again on the image for full size.

Front from Bloor Street and part of the rear of the building from Philosopher's Walk

 

[condovo]

Stunning complex! Thanks for the pics.

 

[Benc7]

Tickets on Sale for Koerner Hall Opening Season-RCM

I can't wait to hear if Koerner Hall sounds as good as it looks!

http://performance.rcmusic.ca/

 

[Urban Shocker]

Ooooh! Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra on October 28th!

 

[scarberiankhatru]

^ I continue to think that Varsity Stadium was a mistake. It could have been shifted a bit to the south (sacrifice a parking lot at its south end), to allow for a streetwall on Bloor, instead of the very anticlimactic gap that's there now.

However, what's done is done, and it won't be changed any time soon.

It won't ever be changed - the site has been a stadium since the 19th century. It could not have been shifted south, either. Even if Trinity's field was destroyed to shift it south (and it's Trinity's land, not the U of T's at large), no 'streetwall' would exist west of Varsity, or on the north side of the street. Of course, the stadium actually *does* contribute to the streetwall in its current form, just as the fences of the Gooderham/York Club mansion and the Meteorological/Admissions building do.

 

[Urban Shocker]

A few construction shots of the Koerner interior, from KPMB's website:

http://www.kpmb.com/index.asp?navid=30&fid1=&fid2=87&fid3=13&minyearx=2009&maxyearx=2010

More blond wood!

 

[simply Dan]

Beautiful!

 

[marcus_a_j]

I agree. The ceiling "strings" and the wave decks are giving Toronto some good design tweaks using wood.

 

[Benc7]

A few construction shots of the Koerner interior, from KPMB's website:

http://www.kpmb.com/index.asp?navid=30&fid1=&fid2=87&fid3=13&minyearx=2009&maxyearx=2010

More blond wood!

OOOOO.....AAHHHHHH.....Looking good!

 

[Urban Shocker]

I agree. The ceiling "strings" and the wave decks are giving Toronto some good design tweaks using wood.

... as did the curved and slatted beech wood screen in the City Room, and the arching Douglas fir glulam beams in the Galleria Italia.