Winspear Edmonton: A Custom Terracotta Rainscreen

The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is a civic performance center in the heart of Edmonton, Alberta.

The project features a striking curved façade designed to visually “drape” over the structure, appearing as if a blanket were hanging gracefully over the roofline. This addition serves as a modern adaptation of the classic concert hall form, providing the city with a signature architectural statement. 

Design Challenges

The most significant challenge in the Winspear project was the complex geometry of the façade. Unlike conventional flat or single-axis designs, this façade required curvature on three axes (vertical, horizontal, and depth) all engineered simultaneously. In addition, the tight urban site along a main thoroughfare presented limited access, restricting traditional scaffold use. The design team needed a lightweight, flexible cladding system that could meet these demanding conditions without compromising the architect’s bold vision.

Solution

To address these challenges, the team chose Argeton custom tiles designed by Telling Architectural Systems. The custom profiles were designed to accommodate the three-dimensional curvature, ensuring a seamless appearance across the entire elevation. The Telling terracotta system was installed over a completely custom structural support system, also designed and supplied by Telling. The installation demonstrates the versatility of Telling and our ability to translate ambitious designs into buildable, high-performance façades.