I can't comment on the merits or lack thereof of Brutalism except that the NAC with its brown concrete panels was a darned site warmer and easier to look at than some of the buildings mentioned in Tunney's Pasture or the University of Ottawa. My one main complaint about the old structure was the lack of a visible main entrance on Elgin street.  The re-design I think, finally gives it a presence on Elgin St and says "come in here".

The exterior facelift has also been accompanied by an interior facelift. The programming at the NAC is no longer "exclusive" or elitist and has become far more warm and inviting to a much broader range of clientele which I think it has to be to continue to be relevant in these modern (Internet, streaming) times. Case in point, the NAC Presents series started as a dozen shows featuring emerging Canadian musicians to over 3 dozen shows last year. Theatre productions have been much more "edgy" and mainstream as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing the changes!