“From my perspective, Threshold were not just acoustical experts, they were vital artistic partners who sought to understand and share our musical aspirations and ambitions.”
— Alexander Shelley, Music Director, Canada's National Arts Centre
National Arts Centre
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Owner
The National Arts Center and The National Arts Center Orchestra
Team
Acoustics - Threshold
AV - Engineering Harmonics
Architect - Diamond Schmitt Architects
Theatre Consultant - Fisher Dachs Associates
Structural Engineer - Fast & Epp Structural
MEP Engineer - Crossey Engineering
Size
1,000,000 square feet Renovation
28,300 square feet of New Construction
Schedule
Architectural Rejuvenation Completed 2017
Production Renewal Completed 2019
Southam AV Integration Ongoing
Robin Glosemeyer Petrone speaks to Global News Canada’s Abigail Bimman about the new sound.
Awards
2020 The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Architecture Award – Merit
2019 Civic Trust Awards – International Project: Commendation
2019 Ottawa Heritage Awards: Addition, Award of Excellence
2018 Ontario Association of Architects – Design Excellence Finalist
2018 BD+C Reconstruction Awards – Gold
2017 Ottawa Urban Design Awards – Urban infill lowrise
2017 Ontario WoodWorks! – Jury’s Choice
2017 Wood Design and Building Awards – Award of Merit
When the National Arts Centre opened in 1969, it was Canada’s premier venue for performing arts. In the 50 years hence, the facility’s technical systems have aged and the once-chic brutalist architectural could best be described as dated and unwelcoming. As Canada celebrates its sesquicentennial, the NAC’s public spaces have been expanded to welcome the public with transparent facades and new performance, education and gathering spaces that create a beacon for the arts amongst Confederation Square and Parliament Hill.
The performances spaces are refreshed with new electrical and technical systems as well as improved sound isolation between the Centre’s four main performance venues. Southam Hall, the Centre’s 2,300-seat opera house, is invigorated with a re-seated audience chamber to improve audience access, comfort, and the room’s acoustic response.
Throughout the many-year process of investigation, design and implementation, Threshold has worked with the National Arts Centre Orchestra to produce its optimal sound within Southam though incremental changes that integrate re-tuning and re-deployment of its electronic enhancement system and a new orchestra enclosure for the 2018-19 season.
