Rendering of the front lobby of the Hearn at Luminato Festival. Courtesy of PARTISANS and Norm Li.
Luminato Festival, Toronto’s global multi-arts festival, will #TurnOnTheHearn this summer, transforming Toronto?s iconic decommissioned power plant, the Hearn Generating Station, into the world?s largest temporary community and cultural centre under one roof.
Architecturally, acoustically and creatively, the project is unique. The building?s enormous scale, open concept and cavernous depth presents a variety of sound and design opportunities made more complex by the temporary nature of the build. Further, the range of artistic projects and performances being presented over the 17-day festival (music, dance, theatre, visual arts, interactive performance and more), require a number of carefully constructed distinct spaces that won?t compromise the Hearn?s own sprawling sightlines and grandeur. Rendering of Luminato Festival’s Music Stage at the Hearn. The stage will be home to concerts, talks and programming from arts partners. Courtesy of PARTISANS and Norm Li.
Additional areas will be customized to accommodate visual arts projects, food and beverage offerings, and front of house and backstage needs. Comfortable lobby spaces and a central box office (also in a converted shipping container) will be open daily, and a central audience pathway, called the Turbine Hall, ensures easy access to each of the performance spaces. A Grand Staircase leads to the third floor m...