The Art Gallery of Alberta undergoes a dramatic redesign

EDMONTONIANS USED TO jokingly call it “The Bunker.” Now, after an $88 million overall, the Art Gallery of Alberta resembles nothing of the sort. Drawing inspiration from Edmonton’s “unique northern environment and urban grid,” Los Angeles-based Randall Stout Architects Inc. expanded and transformed the concrete utilitarian structure into a 85,000 square-foot glass, patinaed zinc and stainless steel sculpture.

Prominently located on Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton, the AGA’s striking features include the “Aurora Borealis,” a 625-foot stainless steel ribbon which winds its way through the building’s exterior and interior, and dramatic angular glass windows.

Following three years of construction, the remodeled AGA reopened in late January. Catherine Crowston, the AGA’s deputy director and chief curator, recently spoke with i4design about the museum’s past, present and future.

i4: What drove the decision to redesign the gallery?

CC: The existing museum building was constructed in 1969 [by Edmonton architect Don Bittorf]. It had leaky ceilings, outdated mechanical systems, outdated lighting. Everything was 30 years old. Also the building didn’t have proper vapor barriers. It was difficult to maintain a “museum environment.”

i4: Tell us a bit about the building’s original design.

CC: It was a two-story building with a basement, made of cast-and-placed concrete. It epitomized Brutalist-style architecture. It was spare and minimalist, quite strong and forceful. It was a building that epitomized early 1970s architectural design.

i4: Why did the AGA opt for such a bold, dramatic new look?

CC: From a functional standpoint, we wanted to construct a building with international museum standards. But from a design standpoint we wanted to have something that was an iconic piece of architecture for the city.

i4: There were 25 architectural firms in competition. Why was Randall Stout’s design selected above the others?

CC: He was the one architect that addressed function, as well as creating something that was architecturally different and distinct. The others either focused on one or the other. He was able to marry both requirements.

i4: What are some of the features which make this space unique and special?

CC: There is the Borealis which wraps through the building and defines the public spaces on the inside and creates an organic curvilinear form on the outside... Randall Stout reoriented the entrance diagonally on a street corner across from Sir Winston Churchill Square. The reoriented entrance enables the building to address the public square. There is an atrium... It brings in so much of the city through that glass piece. On all levels of the gallery, you have views of the city.

i4: How do you anticipate the redesign will affect the museum’s reputation?

CC: First, we are hoping to draw more people from Edmonton and Alberta. And there is tangible and direct proof that this is happening. In September we had 1,200 members. As of today, we have 3,150. Our membership has more than doubled since the opening of the new building. Second we want to build our national and international reputation... Currently, we are exhibiting the works of [Francisco] Goya and [Edgar] Degas. In the fall, our upcoming shows include [Henri] Matisse and [Andy] Warhol. Before, we just didn’t have the museum environment to support these loans.

i4: What has been the public’s response to these dramatic changes?

CC: There were “naysayers” [during the planning and construction phases]... A lot of those people have changed their minds. They became positive supporters once they came inside the building. From the outside, people see it as an object. But when you are inside, it becomes an experience.

The Art Gallery of Alberta
2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Telephone: 780.422.6223
www.youraga.ca

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