Saskatchewan Art News

Design for Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Wins National Award

Canadian Architect Magazine has named the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan as recipient of a 2011 Award of Excellence.  

Cited for its integration of public spaces and the individual galleries, it’s strong sculptural quality, and incorporation of the riverside environment and views, the Saskatoon project is one of eight chosen for recognition this year.

The Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence are given each year to recognize significant building projects in Canada in the design stage. Ground breaking for the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan is scheduled for late 2012, with completion expected in 2015. The gallery will replace the aging Mendel Art Gallery, tripling its size, and is made possible by a donation of $30 million from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation (the largest such donation in Saskatchewan history). The project has a total budget of $71 million.

Canadian Architect juror Diarmuid Nash remarks: “The public spaces outside the individual galleries, the gallery lounge, conference rooms and administrative space seem to take full advantage of what I would imagine as magnificent views of the South Saskatchewan River and the incredible changing skies that dominate this part of the country. The building has a strong sculptural quality with cantilevered box elements floating away from the main building mass, which gives the gallery a sense of presence and gravitas.”

The Canadian Architect award is made to the project’s two architectural firms, KPMB Architects and Smith Carter Architects.