2013 – The Cube, Old Market Square, Winnipeg, Canada

Formerly the site of Winnipeg’s central fire station, Old Market Square is now a green space in the centre of the Exchange District used for concerts and festivals. As part of a rejuvenation plan in 2009, an invited shortlist of architects were asked to submit designs in an architectural competition. Local firm 5468796 Architecture won with this, a two-storey concrete structure enclosed by a flexible metal membrane. The membrane like chainmail is composed of 20,000 identical hollow aluminum pieces strung together on aircraft cables. The plan was to create a malleable curtain that could act as a wall, be pulled in to reveal the performance space, or function as a light-refracting surface. Mechanical issues plagued the project after construction, and now the curtain is usually left open. Immediately popular with the public as a space, the Cube was less popular with musicians at opening due to the smaller stage space than its predecessor.

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