The Art Gallery of Alberta (abbreviated as AGA), simply as the name indicates, is an art gallery located in Edmonton, Western Canada. It is also one of the largest art galleries in Canada which boasts a rich collection of art ranging from Renaissance masters to modern up-and-coming art stars.
AGA can trace its origin from the 1st exhibition held in the Palm Room at the Hotel MacDonald in October 1924. By that time, it started as an organization of influential local citizens who envisioned a Museum as a vehicle “to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of, and cultivation of the fine arts and to preserve historical relics.” With the success of the exhibition in this renting space grew the demand for a permanent space for art gallery. Afterwards, through several rounds of space construction and expansion supported by fundraising and artists’ donations, AGA came to its existence with its historical relics and world class fine arts. Now in 2024, AGA embraces and celebrates its 100th anniversary.
AGA was built during 2006 and January 2010 on the site of its predecessor The Edmonton Art Gallery (EAG). The construction of the new building answered the call for a larger space to accommodate the ever-growing collection (over 6000 works of art in the 86 years since its inception) meanwhile meeting the environment requirement for international museum standards where old facilities fell short. The old EAG was then confronted with the challenges of leaky roofs, ice damming in the walls, old plumbing and dramatic fluctuations in temperature and humidity. While The AGA New Vision was put into agenda in October 2005, two main moves ensued: 1) To change the name from The Edmonton Art Gallery to the Art Gallery of Alberta officially. 2) To announce Randall Stout as the architect for the construction of AGA building after he beat out a whole host of world-renown architects on October 13, 2005.
Randall Stout was noted for his environment sense as he tried to make each of his designs “respond to its place”. His inspiration always came from nature, his design harmonious with the natural surroundings. The design of AGA was without exception. The Art Gallery of Alberta covers 8,000 square meters, including 3,000 square meters of climate-controlled exhibition spaces. This building features a distinct visual identity for its curved 190-meter stainless steel waves which represents the North Saskatchewan River. The swirling forms of the Aurora Borealis gave him inspiration for the architecture’s main stainless steel characteristics. Aurora Borealis is 31 meters in height and 180 meters in length. In response to Edmonton’s dramatic weather patterns and the sharp contrast of its long summer days and short winter days, the application of steel, zinc and glass materials in the facade gives the building a dynamic quality which enables it to echo with the changes of its natural surroundings.
To achieve Randall Stout’s design shapes, “ZEPP” technology driven by digital fabrication techniques was applied, panels pre-assembled before the application of the custom finished stainless steel. Internal stainless steel structures such as gutters and downspouts were concealed within its forms. The ribbons of stainless steel move inside and outside the building at once constituting the stairways walls then wrapping to construct the ceiling of the entry and venturing outside to shade people on the walk. All the forms were manufactured in Kansas City by Zahner Engineered Profile Panels and shipped to Edmonton by truck.
The renovation project costs $66 million. 800 tons of structure steels were used in this building. To calculate, 4682 square meters of 20-gauge-thick stainless steel sheets were applied in this project. Stainless steel sheets were chosen because they are readily available in aesthetical forms, recyclable and durable in time. At Civmats, we stock famous brands cold rolled stainless steel sheets from 0.3mm~8mm thickness in 2B finish. From 3mm above stainless steel sheets (we call hot rolled stainless steel sheets as stainless steel plates) are normally stocked in No.1 finish. Customization of size is available for your option. Welcome for your consultation for free.
