b'The stylish, 1,820-sq.-m. hall is designedlarge equipment on-site, have to beof not just music occurrences, by Winnipegs Cibinel Architecture andaccounted for and transferred down andbut an immeasurable number of Torontos Teeple Architects. It will housearound these spaces. interdisciplinary experiences, making the 407 seats curved around an adaptableThe hall is made possible through auniversitys Fort Garry campus not just stage and acoustic features designed to$10-million donation from Marcelan artistic centre of innovation for the suit a variety of performances. Desautels, a University of ManitobaCity of Winnipeg, but also a destination Through the use of various sound- alumnus and philanthropist, as well asfor students in the local region, as well as absorbing curtains and movableother generous donations from thefrom across Canada and beyond,reflector panels, the hall can be tunedcommunity. Both the university and itsadds Bouchard. to suit the specific acoustical needs ofsupporters intend the venue to serveThe Desautels Concert Hall is expected different types of musical performancesas an inspiring, state-of-the-art hub forto open for its first performances inand lectures, explains Jenn Bouchard,live performances, both for universityfall 2023. Assistant Director, Architectural &students and the community at large. Engineering Services with the UniversityThis concert hall with orchestral1 https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=50of Manitoba. A reconfigurable stage will also provide a high degree of flexibility bypit provides an incredible breadth928&posted=2021-03-08utilizing a movable concert shell system that can quickly convert the stage from a smaller intimate venue for jazz ensembles to a larger configuration for orchestral and theatrical performances.Other standout features include 60-ft. concrete angled walls, an extensive catwalk system, ample backstage amenities, a glass-encased lobby and an outdoor courtyard for public events. BUILDING IN HARMONYThe Desautels Concert Hall is taking shape next to the universitys Pembina204-661-1055Hall and Tach Hall. The latter is one of1820 DeVries Ave.the campus oldest buildings and hasWinnipeg, MBundergone renovations of its own over the past few years.While the architectural expression of thePRODUCTS FOR THE INDUSTRYhall is intended to be a complementary extension of the newer building addition, its exterior form was derived with greatwww.springhilllumber.comcare and deference to the 100-year-old building that surrounds it, notes Bouchard. We set out to shape the exterior form where possible, sloping sections of the roof and canting exterior walls to allow as much natural light as possible into Tach Hall and the courtyard formed between it and the concerthall addition.To date, Parkwest Projects have completed piling at the site and are currently pouring caps. Tyler Clegg, Business Manager with the Winnipeg-based firm, says the venues proximity to the historic Tach Hall and other university buildings has made the project a welcome challenge. This is a very tight jobsite that requires careful coordination and execution throughout the build, he explains. Adding to the complexity of the site is the fact that it sits directly over the former Tach Hall Gymnasium crawl space and the universitys service tunnel system. That means all of the loads, including Issue 4 Winter Edition 2021 BUILD MANITOBA 39'