With the Great Harbour as the foundation for Halifax’s urban development, the design creates an open invitation to further explore the site’s dynamic relationship with the sea.

The entire ground plane, indoors and out, is devoted to new forms of cultural expression and art-making that break from the traditional mold of the public art institution.

A bridge creates a stunning covered entry and plaza area, the ‘belly of the whale.’ This wood clad multi-curving canopy defines an expansive covered plaza space, which we call the People’s Gallery.

The materiality for the building has been developed by taking cues from the surrounding landscape and atmospheric conditions of the Atlantic coast.

Sea smoke, faded boardwalk planks, tones of coastal edges, textures and patterns found in nature, complemented and contrasted with simple, robust materials fundamental to the maritime vernacular.

The site organization forms an ‘Eddy’ around the building; inspired by ocean and cultural currents.