Aurora’s historic 1885 Church Street Schoolhouse, an example of Victorian School architecture in Ontario, is set to undergo adaptive reuse as part of Aurora Town Square’s architectural evolution spanning three centuries.
Led by the architecture firm RAW Design, in collaboration with The Planning Partnership, the Cultural Centre addition to the schoolhouse is set to conclude in the summer of 2024. It aims to unify the Aurora Library and Cultural Centre, and become a focal point in Aurora. This is in line with the town’s tradition of constructing, preserving, and repurposing significant architectural sites to meet its evolving needs.
The Cultural Centre will offer diverse cultural programming, including dance and visual arts studios, art galleries, and a music recording and performance hall. The project’s key features include: integrating sustainability through energy and water conservation systems into a high-performance building facade; bird-friendly glazing; and stormwater management designed to a 200-year standard. This is achieved through a well-planted, permeable landscape, meadow-scape green roofs, and water-recycling cisterns.
A 250-seat black-box performance hall, gender-neutral facilities, and fully accessible spaces demonstrate inclusive design. Further, bespoke door handles and wayfinding signs will celebrate craftsmanship and attention to detail.
