Canada’s National Ballet School
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The National Ballet School is in the midst of a $100-million campaign to
develop a state-of-the-art dance training, academic and residence centre for
its world-class training programs. The first stage completes the Jarvis Street
campus comprising the Margaret McCain Academic Building (originally the Havergal
Ladies’ College, subsequently CBC headquarters), the new Celia Franca Centre
and historic Northfield House (1856).
The space between Northfield House and Celia Franca is enclosed to create the
Town Square, the heart of the school. This three-storey, light-filled space
is anchored by the heritage masonry walls of Northfield and is animated by an
L-shaped Corten steel fireplace. As the space from which all the major support
programs radiate and converge, the square embodies the school’s philosophy of
nurturing the whole person, body, mind and soul.
The Margaret McCain Academic Building is directly connected to the Celia Franca Centre by a glazed bridge. Northfield House was adapted as administrative offices and restored to a 19th-century appearance. On its west facade, a former servants’ wing was removed and replaced with a donor wall facing the Town Square.
The apparent mass of the project is reduced by being organized into a vertical
campus of three transparent, elevated structures arrayed asymmetrically around
Northfield House and acting as a backdrop to the historic masonry structure.
Stacked platforms, courtyards and terraces create a series of stages looking
out to the city.
Floor-to-ceiling glazing provides dramatic views deep into the studios and,
for the dancers, frames the city as a backdrop to their training. Detailing
within the studios includes custom-designed ballet barres.
Sorensen: This is a breath of fresh air. Driving past the ballet school elevates my energy. The whole site is really choreographed.
Kruse: The brick and stone, the musical notes on the glass façade – they all do a dance. And there’s nothing gimmicky about it. It’s all on display. The old ballet school was hidden behind doors. If there’s a flaw it’s that you ignore that old house they were forced to keep when you drive by because you’re so fixated on the new pieces.
Taylor: You appreciate the old house when you go inside. It becomes this solid façade that alludes to how long the school has been around.
Chalmers: It’s totally voyeuristic. The people in this building must feel very exposed.
Taylor: I imagine that the students, when they rehearse, get a great sense
of pride by being in this building.
