Extending in front of Taché Hall, the fine arts building has a strong contemporary presence facing the campus?s main quadrangle.
LOCATION Winnipeg, Manitoba
ARCHITECTS Patkau Architects (design architect) with LM Architectural Group (architect of record)
PHOTOS Patkau Architects
This project began as a renovation to Taché Hall, a 1911 student residence at the University of Manitoba. When an opportunity arose for federal stimulus funding, the decision was made to develop a portion of the program separately, so that the design and construction could be expedited to meet funding deadlines. ARTlab, then, became the first piece in a multi-phase creative arts facility.
The 6,300-square-metre program consists principally of large spaces for the School of Art that complement small studio spaces within Taché Hall. Included are a national-standard gallery, a lecture hall, a soundstage, administration, and a variety of new and traditional media studios. The entry is tucked beneath a massive overhang supported on sculpted columns.
The volume of the ARTlab interlocks with that of Taché Hall, reinforcing the fact that the two buildings comprise an integrated arts facility. The extension of the north wing of the ARTlab in front of Taché Hall gives the building an emblematic presence on Duckworth Quadrangle, the principal outdoor space within the university campus.
To facilitate a critical urban connection to the Asper School of Business, south of the project, the north wing of the...