YOUNG CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

NEW PARADIGM

A major regional drama company intersects with the academy on a 19th century Toronto industrial heritage campus, resulting in a uniquely animated 24/7 place.

JUST STRUCTURE + AIR

First and foremost, the Young Centre is about art and artists. In a way, as a neutral ground for expression, the lobby, theatre rooms and studios are just “structure and air”.

NEOPRIMITIVE, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

As a result, the found object/neo-primitive architecture emotes a message: that in this rough and ready space, anything can happen.

ART + DIALOGUE

The project took shape through intensive dialogue with key visionaries of Soulpepper Theatre Company and George Brown College, including artists, management and teaching leaders. As a result, it is a wonderful model of cross disciplinary collaboration.

FOURTH STAGE

On opening night, the lobby stair becomes a stage for Soulpepper artistic director Albert Schultz’s post-performance remarks.

ECONOMY + VALUE

For a theatre project, it is remarkably economical, from both a capital and operating cost perspective.