Recognizing the precariousness of venues for the performing arts, The Other Guise Theatre Society took the bold step to purchase a two-story commercial building with the intent of creating a permanent cultural hub in downtown Victoria.
Fold Architects are helping The Other Guise execute a multi-year plan to substantially renovate the building to serve as a black-box theatre, cafe and venue for viewing the performing arts.
The plan includes both long-term and interim alterations, to first, reallocate the assembly occupancy in the building from the second to the ground story, and second, to perform major structural changes to open the interior space.
Fold Architects assessed the uses of the building to create a pathway to introduce new uses to the building without increasing the total occupant load. Alterations in the first phase of work are strategic, leveraging the creative talent of the organization to create a dignified and functional space within the storied structure of the existing building.
