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| Calgary Water Centre |
World renowned architect, Jeremy Sturgess is speaking tonight in Cranbrook at the College of the Rockies. Lecture Theatre at 7pm. Mr. Sturgess is known for his unique design aesthetic and his extensive concern for sustainability in all his projects. The Bridges in Calgary and the Calgary Water Centre as well as the Banff Town Hall are just a few of his significant contributions to the field of architecture. Since 1993 as the principal of Sturgess Architecture, Jeremy was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy in 2002 and is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary. Just this year a book about his 30 year career was published called 'Full Spectrum'.
Sturgess specializes in regionally appropriate architecture such as the use of Rocky Mountain design elements as well as exploring the use of colour and unique shapes. He is interested in environmentally sustainable design and the sociology of architecture. Mr. Sturgess is concerned with how buildings relate to people and how they can help foster community. He is known for the redevelopment of the old General Hospital site, the Connaught Gardens housing development in Edmonton, the Alberta Pavillion at EXPO86, the Calgary Water Centre, and the redesign of downtown LRT stations as well as many other public and private buildings.
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| The Bridges - Calgary |
The demolishing of the General Hospital in downtown Calgary left a large open space in the middle of the inner city neighbourhood of Bridgeland. It is in this space that Jeremy Sturgess and his team designed the masterplan for The Bridges. Using a series of charettes (small discussion groups) the local community was widely consulted about their vision for the redevelopment. This 37 acre site redesign has helped revitalize this older inner city neighbourhood. It connects the neighbourhood to the downtown core, is pedestrian friendly, has distinctive lighting, tree lined streets, and mixed use housing concept of commercial, retail and residential structures. Higher population density planning such as this helps support more efficient transport methods as well as enhance connectivity by allowing citizens the ability to commute via bike or public transit.
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| Banff Town Hall |
Fewer roads mean huge cost savings to municipalities and this type of development is in the forefront of progressive and sustainable design. Over 1/3 of the lands have been left as parks or recreational areas including soccer fields and a toboggan run. The City of Calgary mandated energy efficiencies, encouraging LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) building standards from the developers. Affordable housing was also a priority with a mixed market approach used. This has led to a truly unique and successful collaboration between the City of Calgary, developers, and citizens.
In the coming months the people of Cranbrook will be able to express our vision for Cranbrook via the Integrated Community Sustainablity Plan committee now called Cranbrook Connected. Cranbrook Connected will be focusing on sustainability in all city planning designs. Sturgess’s presentation will provide much “food-for-thought” as we’re invited to give voice to shaping Cranbrook’s future planning.
See you tonight!
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