Building

Modern Languages

• ML
• Arts Building
• Arts I

The Arts Building at the University of Waterloo, now known as the Modern Languages Building, was a major addition to the campus, marking the university’s expansion into liberal arts education. Plans for the three-story structure were announced on July 20, 1961, with a projected cost of $1,200,000, later revised to $1,400,000 to include furnishings, landscaping, and architectural fees. The building was designed to include a teaching wing as well as a distinctive seven-sided theatre wing including art galleries, which would serve both the university and the surrounding community as a fine arts centre.[1]

The original 1961 plans for the Arts Building at the University of Waterloo outlined a teaching wing with classrooms, seminar rooms, and specialized labs for geography, psychology, and a 54-unit language lab. The lower floor included a student coffee room, women’s lounge, and faculty lounge, all opening onto a terrace facing the theatre wing. The theatre wing was designed to feature several art galleries and a main theatre with a hydraulically operated retractable stage, allowing the space to function both as a lecture hall and a performance venue. Seating was planned for over 500 people, including 312 seats in the main area, 40 on each side of the stage, and additional temporary seating in the adjacent galleries.[2]

Construction of the Arts Building was scheduled to begin in November 1961, following a tender process in October.[3] The teaching wing was planned for completion by August 31, 1962, with the theatre wing to follow by October 31.[4] The building officially opened in September 1962, and the theatre wing was completed shortly after, in October.[5]

Designed by Shore and Moffat of Toronto and built by Cooper Construction Company of Hamilton, the Arts Building stood out on campus for its modern architectural style, featuring long, vertical V-shaped windows and dark brick. The final structure spanned approximately 55,000 square feet.[6]

A defining feature of the teaching wing was the language laboratory. By 1968, the language laboratory in Room 109 was equipped with 36 individual recording booths where students could listen to lessons, repeat them, and record their voices on a separate tape channel. This setup enabled students to compare their pronunciation with that of the instructor and re-record until they were satisfied with their progress. Instructors could monitor each booth and communicate directly with students, providing personalized feedback to support both pronunciation and comprehension.[7]

The theatre wing, home to the Theatre of the Arts, served all departments within the Faculty of Arts. The Theatre of the Arts functioned as the university’s largest lecture hall and a cultural venue. Michael Langham, artistic director of the Stratford Festival, contributed to the design of the amphitheater, which could seat over 400 people.[8]

The theatre quickly became a cultural hub, with a debut performance Wintersong on January 26, 1963, featuring folk singers Judy Orban and Cedric Smith that was part of Winterland ’63 celebrations.[9] The first play hosted in the theatre was The Miser, directed by Dr. A.I. Dust that opened on March 14, 1963.[10] The venue welcomed the general public for the first time with a performance by the University of Toronto Orchestra on February 2, 1963.[11]

The first exhibit in the gallery was a display of 32 paintings and sketches by 8 Canadian artists including A.Y. Jackson, Sir Frederick Banting, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Lawren Harris, F.H. Varley, Thoreau MacDonald, and Tom Tomson. The artworks were from the private collection of N.D. Young of Toronto.[12]

The Arts Building marked a significant milestone in the university’s building development, initiating the arts cell of the campus and complementing the existing science and engineering facilities.[13]

In the early mid-1960s, there was some uncertainty surrounding the official name of the Arts Building. While it was originally referred to simply as the Arts Building, the name "Modern Languages" appears to have been formally adopted by university administrators, including William Lobban, Director of Physical Plant and Planning, likely between 1965-1966. However, signage on the building continued to read, "Arts and Theatre Building" until at least 1967.[14]

Created April 2025 by DR.
Updated October 2025 by NM.

• Modern Languages (ML) - Accessibility at Waterloo

[1] "University of Waterloo Arts Building to Feature 400-Seat Theatre." Information release. University of Waterloo. July 20, 1961. ; "U of W's New Arts Building to Cost $1,053,000." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thursday, November 23, 1961, p.3.

[2] "University of Waterloo Arts Building to Feature 400-Seat Theatre." Information release. University of Waterloo. July 20, 1961.

[3] Ibid.

[4] "U of W's New Arts Building to Cost $1,053,000." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thursday, November 23, 1961, p.3.

[5] University of Waterloo Quarterly Report (v.3, n.3). September 1962.

[6] "University of Waterloo Arts Building to Feature 400-Seat Theatre." Information release. University of Waterloo. July 20, 1961.; "U of W's New Arts Building to Cost $1,053,000." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thursday, November 23, 1961, p.3.

[7] "Tour Route for Guiding Visitors Around University." 1968. UWA2020-04 Topical files. Buildings: Modern Languages.

[8] "Tour Route for Guiding Visitors Around University." 1968. UWA2020-04 Topical files. Buildings: Modern Languages. ; "Plan for University Theatre Similar to Stratford's." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Saturday, October 28, 1961, p.17.

[9] "Standing Ovation for First Arts Theatre Attraction." The Coryphaeus, Friday, February 1, 1963 (v.3, n.16), p.3.

[10] "New Arts Theatre Proves Hospitable." Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Friday, March 15, 1963, p.37.

[11] "U of T Symphony Performs." The Coryphaeus, Friday, February 8, 1963 (v.3, n.17), p.1.

[12] "Canadian Art on Display." The Coryphaeus, Friday, February 8, 1963 (v.3, n.17), p.1.

[13] "University of Waterloo Arts Building to Feature 400-Seat Theatre." Information release. University of Waterloo. July 20, 1961.

[14] "This week on campus." The Chevron, Friday, September 29, 1967 (v.8, n.14), p.20. ; "Maybe the arts theatre isn't." The Chevron, Friday, October 13, 1967 (v.6, n.16), p. 3.