Keywords Architectural Buildings

Total construction cost of the Broadcast Centre was $381 million. The design concept, developed by Barton, Myers Associates, comprises a 1.72 million square foot (gross), 10-storey building with rooftop television studios and 2 basement levels. The design of the completed building was a collaboration of Bregman + Hamann/Scott Associates Architects in joint venture with John Burgee Architects Inc and Philip Johnson, design consultant.

The building design is noteworthy for its reference to deconstructivist architecture. In plan and elevation, the building's orthogonal grid is interrupted by skewed elements. These elements appear in elevation as planes of curtain wall, interrupting the white frame and red mullions of the building's facade. The interior atrium is dominated by a bright green elevator shaft, also turned at an angle to the building grid. The stylistic references to deconstruction were an interest of the architect, Phillip Johnson, at the time of the building's design.

The broadcasting centre contains 3 major radio studios, including the Glen GOULD Performance Studio, 3 studios for radio broadcasting and 19 studios for radio network production. For television, 3 major entertainment production studios are provided, 2 studios are dedicated to local stations, 1 studio for news and 2 studios for general production.

Radio and television facilities within the broadcasting centre incorporate the new professional digital technologies. With these new technologies, integration of future and more advanced digital technologies is possible to keep radio and television facilities up-to-date. The building's main interior public space, an enclosed atrium, is the centre's focal point and was named the Barbara FRUM Atrium to commemorate the contributions of this distinguished broadcaster, who died in 1992.

Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Exterior
The dramatic centre was the result of 16 years of planning and design. It is one of Canada's most innovative buildings (courtesy CBC).

Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Interior 1
The centre comprises a 1.72 million square foot, 10-storey building, with rooftop television studios, and two basement levels (courtesy CBC).

Author GEORGE KAPELOS

Links to Other Sites
Barbara Frum
This multimedia CBC website profiles the career of distinguished broadcaster, Barbara Frum. Includes numerous video and audio clips.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Tune into the CBC website, the multimedia gateway to the network's radio and television programming from every region of Canada. Features extensive online news summaries and in-depth reports.