Step outside the TIFF Bell Lightbox in downtown Toronto, and you’re likely to hear the steady, clanging drone of construction. But as annoying as that hum might be, it represents opportunity for the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Would people come year-round? We have 1,300 seats in the building, and trying to fill those, we honestly went through peaks and valleys.” Overseen by the Toronto-based group DesignAgency, the renovation involves several elements. First is the installation of a large new public-facing digital screen, which will feature work by Canadian artists commissioned by chief programming officer Anita Lee and her team. There will be new seating outside Cinemas 4 and 5 to encourage lounging. And a cafe-bar space will open in the Bell Blue Room member’s lounge, which will now be available to the public, with longer hours.
Why not invite Therme to build it?