Glenbow Museum | 43m | 9s | DIALOG

[CallmeCatbread]

Well, as someone who works for an Architecture firm I stand by my statement. Architects will design the concept with their client, choose their preferred materials and

OK, so understand that I work for an architecture firm and see this quite often. The Architects design the concept, engineers are required to design the structure, HVAC systems and all that other stuff, your comment about engineers "saving them" is unnecessary lol. The cladding manufacturers will also have their own engineers that need to look at how to attach the panels to the walls, resist wind loads and uplift and all that stuff. So I'm just adding some insight into how this process happens, because the renders we have are clearly fairly conceptual in nature.

The new building does look a bit bunkerish still, but is 100x better than what was there before. This cladding system can't be cheap, and I'm much happier than if the b. uilding was turned into a glass box. I think there was some opportunity to add a bit of articulation to the facade, but the budget must not have allowed for that. Cutting huge holes in the structure must be quite expensive, so I'm excited to see how the interior opens up more

I also work in architecture. I'm just trying to push back against the common misconception that architects don't know how to do anything other than make stuff look pretty. As you're aware we have to not only produce a design and present it to a client and the public, making it presentable when not everything has been resolved yet, but then coordinate all of the consultants doing their important work to progress the design. Obviously the architect had a design that they and the client believed in and then as they continued to refine it decided that certain things had to go in order to cut costs. That's how it always goes.

 

[potatopizzafan]

Maybe it's just me, but the new Glenbow looks like it will be pretty bunkerish as well.

Have you heard Trump lately? We need all the bunkers we can get!

 

[CBBarnett]

Maybe it's just me, but the new Glenbow looks like it will be pretty bunkerish as well.

I’m starting to get a bit nervous too. 5 year of construction and $205M sets a high bar, even with recent inflation.

As it’s coming together, I want to understand a bit more about what we paid for. The rendering (and now reality). of the exterior was never that exciting for me - but that’s okay if the money is spent inside and on program design. But after reading multiple articles I still don’t understand what exactly the upgrade is - more patios, more access etc.?

Is it bigger than before? If so, by how much? What actually will change about the use experience and capacity/intent of the Glenbow to be more culturally relevant thanks to these renos?

There’s some great “big city “ museums out there, is this going to be one of them? Or are we just polishing a 2020s version of the 1970s Glenbow?

 

[Mountain Man]

I think most of it is inside, they seem to have cut away large sections of the interior structure. Was there any asbestos in there that needed to be abated? that's not usually cheap...

 

[Surrealplaces]

There’s some great “big city “ museums out there, is this going to be one of them? Or are we just polishing a 2020s version of the 1970s Glenbow?

On a scale of David Milner library refurb being a 1 and the new Central library being a 10, I'm betting this will be somewhere around a 6. Nicer exterior and a lot more natural light in the interior, which will make a difference.

 

[darwink]

On a scale of David Milner library refurb being a 1 and the new Central library being a 10, I'm betting this will be somewhere around a 6. Nicer exterior and a lot more natural light in the interior, which will make a difference.

A front door a casual tourist can find will help imo. As much as I'll miss the charm of getting lost on almost every visit.

 

[Colinfill]

I agree that the design is still "bunkerish" but at least interesting enough exterior to make you wonder what's inside and, thankfully, the ground floor is opening and inviting that you walk through a font door on Stephen Ave to find out compared to the experience of what was there before

 

[1875]

prob a dumb idea but could be cool projecting light show/images on it after dark. it is a bit of a blank canvas.

 

[potatopizzafan]

prob a dumb idea but could be cool projecting light show/images on it after dark. it is a bit of a blank canvas.

Not a dumb idea at all. I was in Stockholm over Christmas and they were doing daily light projections on their city hall building celebrating the Nobel Prize Banquet. There were tons of people there everyday, even in the freezing rain.

 

[Mountain Man]

Video mapping of whatever exhibit they have would be super cool, bet it would generate more business! At least in the winter when its dark and people are awake lol

 

[Surrealplaces]

prob a dumb idea but could be cool projecting light show/images on it after dark. it is a bit of a blank canvas.

It's a great idea. Lots of cities around the world do this and can add some atmosphere.

 

[doughflow]

This thing is moving at a glacial pace

 

[trtcttc]

It's a great idea. Lots of cities around the world do this and can add some atmosphere.

I fear we will get giant banners instead.

 

[DiscoStu]

Im not really seeing the issue with giant banners. If those are designed nicely, those can be effective too.

 

[The Familia]

Why do all our public buildings/infrastructure projects take decades to build? Eau Clare plaza is going on what, 3-4 years? The new Art Commons and Olympic Plaza will take over 3 years. Feels like the Glenbow has been at this for 2-3 years already. How the hell can a new 18,000 seat arena be built faster than an outdoor plaza or a small theatre?