University of Toronto Faculty of Music Feasibility Study

The Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto is a global leader in music creation, performance, education, and research. Its alumni — from composer Owen Pallett to vocalist Emily D’Angelo — have been the recipients of national and international awards. Inside the Edward Johnson Building, its performance spaces play a key role in the music culture of Toronto. Unique to the campus, its MacMillan Theatre – complete with a fly tower, is one of the few stages in the city that can accommodate a full-scale opera production.

Feasibility Study

Originally built in 1960 by Adamson Associates, the building was state-of-the-art at the time. Requiring a dramatic upgrade to the facilities, the Faculty of Music retained KPMB Architects to complete a feasibility study for the renovation and expansion of its facilities, an undertaking central to the Faculty’s role as a world-class institution.

KPMB’s comprehensive study envisioned a transformation of the Faculty and its facilities into a welcoming space not only for students but also for the public, reimagining a unique destination for musical performance within the University precinct.

The study uncovered current limitations: that poor sight lines in performance spaces and a lack of back-of-house amenities detracted from the Faculty’s full potential to be a local destination and a wonderful place to hear and see music in performance. Furthermore, the building lacks a heart for students and audience to gather; academic and administrative functions in the building have spilled over into performance support spaces; interior spaces have deteriorated in appearance and function; and performance-related technological infrastructure is outdated.

Recommendations

As part of the comprehensive study, KPMB presented the Faculty with renovation concepts to renew and improve their facilities for the 21st century thereby reestablishing the Faculty’s image, visibility, and connectivity within both the campus and the city.

Renovations were proposed for the MacMillan Theatre, Walter Hall, classrooms and rehearsal spaces, and other administrative and ancillary locations in the Edward Johnson Building. The potential to transform MacMillan Theatre includes reconfiguring interior levels to improve sightlines, bring the audience closer to the stage, and add character to the room; upgrade room acoustics, noise and vibration control, and other performance-related technological infrastructure in the Theatre and Walter Hall. Additional renovations include renovating lobbies as destinations, upgrading public restrooms; refinishing flooring, renewing interiors and replacing seats; and overall, enhancing the accessibility and elevating the fit, finish, functionality and technical capabilities of performance and learning spaces in the building.