Remai Art Gallery transforms Saskatoon’s river front

Construction has begun on the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The 12,000-square metre gallery is located in River Landing in the south downtown as just one component of a program to redevelop the riverfront area. The redevelopment incorporates a new park, five-storey commercial development and future village, an expanded arts centre and a $19-million parkade.

Designed by Toronto architects KPMB, the $74-million building faces the South Saskatchewan River to the south and 2nd Avenue to the east. It is designed as four stacked horizontal volumes that respond to the low-flat topography of the prairie landscape. The ground floor is fully glazed to provide daylit public spaces with views to the river.

A variety of gallery spaces are incorporated, with the 695-sq. m Changing Gallery on the third floor being the largest. There are also community spaces, studios and a 150-seat lecture theatre.

Structural engineer is Entuitive, mechanical engineer is Crossey Engineering and electrical engineer is Mulvey + Banani. Other consultants include Transsolar (climate), TTCM2R (costing), Daniel Lyzun & Associates (acoustics), Aercoustics (vibration), Enermodal (LEED), MMM Group (civil and transportation), and Leber Rubes (code). General contractor is Ellis Don, and Commissioning is by Thurston Engineering.

Funding was provided by all three levels of government and private donations, including from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. The building is scheduled to open in the spring of 2016.

The design for the art gallery won a Canadian Architect award of excellence in 2011.

Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Artist’s rendering by Adrian Phiffer/KPMB.