University of Manitoba’s Desautels Concert Hall has received an Architect’s Newspaper 2021 AN Best of Design award.
The concert hall’s inspired design is the work of Winnipeg’s Cibinel Architecture and Toronto’s Teeple Architects.
Teeple Architects describes the 400-seat hall as “an optimal acoustical environment across a wide array of performance configurations ranging from small vocal recitals to large orchestral ensembles and operatic performances. The wooden ‘lining’ of the hall’s interior, incorporating reconfigurable variable acoustic elements, reaches out from the stage to embrace the house, bringing audience and performers together.”
The jury commented on the design in the Unbuilt-Education category: “One of the great challenges of making theatre buildings good neighbours is finding ways to wrap the program with an architectural expression that doesn’t overwhelm the surroundings with looming blank walls. This project does that admirably—the curved entryway and shifting planes of the envelope come together to create an eminently approachable and seductive building.”
The 400-seat venue is anticipated to open during fall 2023 and will be home for a range of university and community events.
