This project, for a new mixed-use development comprising of rental homes, a restaurant and co-working space, is located in the Bridgeland, a neighbourhood at northeast of Downtown Calgary. It is bound to the South by the Bow River, to the east by Deerfoot Trial, to the West by Edmonton Trail and to the North by the community of Renfrew. The name “Bridgeland” came into use as a result of the Dominion Bridge Company operating nearby.

The “L” shape site, located on the corner of 9th Street NE and McDougall Road NE, slopes steeply toward the South and is flanked by two major green spaces; MacDougal Park to the South East and Murdock Park to the West.

Instead of the traditional site extrusion massing, we decided to create a low podium, varying from one level to the North to two levels to the South, acting as a transitioning mass buffer. The podium contains private door access to homes with front gardens on three sides. Retail, restaurant and co-working spaces feature along 9th Street NE creating active street frontage.

The podium rooftop, with stunning views toward the parks and downtown beyond, is sheltered from the harsh winds and planted with lush gardens, grass mounds and flower prairies. The podium also features a multitude of social spaces such as BBQ areas, sundecks, a playground, yoga zone and more for the residents to collectively engage.

Two elegant residential towers protrude from the podium. The towers are shifted from each to maximise views, sunlight and privacy while minimising overshadowing on the adjacent properties.

The apartments located in the towers enjoy generous, sheltered private outdoor terraces designed as an extension of the interior. These offer an extra room to the apartments where social life can take place, reminiscent of the verandas found in traditional Calgarian timber houses. The terraces function as a space to sit, gather, eat and enjoy the views, all the while being sheltered from the weather.

The building will act as a new local landmark, signalling a new living standard for Bridgeland and a bright future ahead.