Calgary New Central Library
“I particularly remember my experience of the imagining, approving, building and visiting the new Calgary Central Library designed by architects Snohetta and Dialog. While this may seem like an obvious choice for this discussion, as it is already renowned as a spectacular example of high-quality civic architecture, my own experience of this speaks to the process involved in getting to a successful outcome. Through my role as Chief Urban Designer, I was engaged first in evaluating and recommending potential site choices. While the chosen site was seen as particularly encumbered by its odd shape and dimensions straddling LRT tracks, it was also seen as potentially catalytic in bringing public attention and acceptance to its emerging East Village context. In this case, the new building itself would be the piece which creates the context and connections based on an imagined future state which informed the call for proposals. I was also involved in adjudicating the design competition, and the successful team was the one that most completely saw the role of the future building in healing the urban fabric and establishing strong connections, architecturally and socially, with the neighbourhood, city and region. In my role guiding the project through the application review process I saw the care which the design team took to respond to technical requirements, stakeholder concerns, and user requirements. Through the construction process, as always, changes were necessary but never resulted in any compromise to the spirit of the design or the quality of the product. The result is, indeed, somewhat different than originally proposed but still exceeds expectations and was immediately publicly accepted as an iconic centrepiece of both East Village and Calgary overall. The form is distinctive yet easily recognizable as a public place. The shape is unique yet familiar as it recalls a Chinook arch and the materials civic and durable yet warm where people are closest to them. The entrance is unmistakable as the site and landscape draw users in, and the entire building forms a new bridge over the barrier of the LRT trench to act as both a crossing and a gateway into the East Village. The interior is both grand and welcoming, inspiring and engaging exactly as an important public place should be. In all, a successful example of quality in our built environment achieved at the highest level.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.28).
Image: D. Down
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