The National Arts Centre is one step closer to a re-design that will give way to a more modern look.
The National Capital Commission gave preliminary approval on Thursday to the concept design of the rejuvenation project, first announced in December 2014, which will see the concrete building get dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 1990s. Final approval will come at a future board meeting.
The original design of the building faced the front door toward the Rideau Canal, with the expectation that a pathway would be built to make it highly visible and accessible. But those plans never materialized, resulting in an awkwardly placed main entrance that was more difficult to access.
The new design, which would open on July 1, 2017, according to the proposed timeline, would see the addition of an atrium opening directly out onto Elgin Street. The multi-storey glass-panelled area, which would help soften the blunt and aggressively angular aspects of the building, would also provide for expanded public and event spaces.
Meetings will be held with the advisory committee on planning, design and realty in August and October for informational purposes and to allow for comment. Under the current proposed timeline, the NCC board would give its final approval in January 2016, with the groundbreaking on the project next spring.
