Kahanoff Centre/Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Bringing dance to the street

Civic & Culture

The Kahanoff Centre is a unique facility in the heart of downtown Calgary which provides space to nonprofit organizations at discounted rates. This project consists of an 11-storey expansion to the Centre, including seven new studios and a 200 seat performance theatre for its anchor tenant, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD).

The design gesture focuses on DJD’s initiative to “Bring Dance to the Street.” The studios are presented as separate, fully-glazed volumes moving independently from each other. The effect is dance activity showcased simultaneously on multiple levels and fully visible from the street.

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Location
Calgary, AB
Size
107,639 sq ft
Client
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Target Project Management, The Kahanoff Centre
Completion
2016
Sustainability
Targeting LEED® Gold certification
Collaborators

Mulvey & Banani International Inc.
RJC Engineers
Sereca Consulting
Wiebe Forest Engineering
Cana Construction
Scatliff + Miller + Murray

DIALOG Services

Architecture
Interior Design

Dancing from the street

The studios are presented as separate, fully-glazed volumes moving independently from each other, offering multiple and varied views into the studios, theatre and public function rooms.

Art wall 

The two-storey art installation ‘Take the Cake’ serves as a beacon for the facility while animating Calgary’s skyline.

A wall within a wall

The art wall is installed inside an outer glazing. The artists, Hadley + Maxwell, worked with the dancers to create the images using a sophisticated lighting effect creating an illusion of movement.

Inspired views

A fully glazed two-storey wall allows for visibility from the street directly to the performances and a skyline backdrop for the set design when desired.

Near the heart of the art

The seven new studios are located in Calgary’s Beltline, in close proximity to the city’s vibrant theatre district.

Space for practice

The design turns the notion of theatre inside out by placing a fully glazed back wall to the performance space.

A peak inside

The ground floor is fully visible from the street and includes a large community lounge, reception and a large dance studio.

The Team

I think the space is so beautiful that it’s really exciting as dancers. It has this open feeling, which makes us open as artists to work with.

Katherine Hayward, Dancer
Evoke DIALOG | Decidedly Jazz Danceworks | Calgary, AB Bringing dance to the street

Awards

2015 Mayor’s Urban Design Awards – Urban ArchitectureThe City of Calgary