MacEwan University Allard Hall

The 5-storey Allard Hall is home to the University’s visual and performing arts programs and provides a modern teaching space to accommodate anticipated future growth. The major building components include centrally scheduled classrooms, theatre performing spaces, purpose built classrooms and labs, retail units, administration offices, an atrium, and one level of below grade parking.

The building houses performance and educational spaces, including a proscenium theater, recital hall, black-box theatre, galleries, and a wide range of visual arts, digital, and sound studios. With state-of-the art instructional facilities, the design emphasizes Allard Hall’s identity as a hub for converging ideas and social interaction. Informal learning, performance, and gathering spaces are playfully woven into two main atria, which will showcase a spectrum of student, staff, and visitor activities. Natural daylight penetrates these vibrant cores, enlivening them with changing light qualities throughout the day.

BIM was used extensively for this project and helped in design/cost coordination to reduce the original capital budget to a new affordability threshold. This was achieved through exceptional collaborative work, using BIM to re-work building system designs whilst not losing key program area required by the university.