Marianne McKenna talks empowering the arts through architecture
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April 16, 2026
As part of the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series in Toronto, KPMB founding partner Marianne McKenna will deliver a lecture on empowering the arts through architecture. The talk will take place during the evening of Friday, April 17.
Since 1987, KPMB has demonstrated a deep architectural commitment to arts and culture, recognizing their vital role in fostering healthy communities and well-being. The firm has designed a wide range of significant cultural projects, including notable contributions to Toronto’s “Cultural Renaissance” in the early 2000s, such as the Gardiner Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall and TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning.
McKenna’s presentation will touch on her architectural philosophy and chart key moments in her practice, with particular focus on the Royal Conservatory of Music — which began with a master plan in 1991 and was realized over the following decades — and the more recent renovation and expansion of Massey Hall. The latter project, guided by the client’s directive to “fix everything, but change nothing,” has sensitively updated the iconic music venue, while also introducing an addition that houses new performance spaces, supports emerging talent, and addresses other needs.
The Yorkminster Park Speakers Series is a continuing education program organized by Yorkminster Park Church in midtown Toronto. The speaker series aims to build “a community of the curious,” where attendees can engage with new topics and interests.
The lecture is open to the public. For those unable to attend in person or watch live, a webcast and online recording will be made available.
Event details
Event: Yorkminster Park Speakers Series
Presentation: Building Culture: Restoration & Additions to Massey Hall and Koerner Hall
Date & Time: April 17, 7:00 PM
Location: Cameron Hall, 1585 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario
Learn more at the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series website.
(Lead image of Koerner Hall: Tom Arban)
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