Our Forumers are passionate about architecture and urban design in Calgary and accordingly have declared their favourite highrise and low-rise buildings in the city. Published four times per year, Alberta Construction Magazine carries a similar, albeit more formal, public contest that recognizes and celebrates construction excellence not just in Alberta's biggest city, but across the entire province. The annual Top Projects Awards have returned again to honour the best developments substantially completed within the 2016 calendar year.

The Eau Claire Tower is one of the Calgary finalists, image by Forum contributor Surrealplaces

The public have been invited to vote online for the People's Choice Award until polls close on October 30. Of the 27 finalists, 11 are located in Edmonton, nine in Calgary, and the remaining in smaller communities. They run the gamut from skyscrapers to transportation infrastructure to industrial processing facilities. Calgary submissions include Oxford's Eau Claire Tower, DIALOG's Kahanoff Centre Two, National Music Centre's Studio Bell, the restored St. Louis Hotel in the East Village, and the International Facilities Project at Calgary International Airport. They will face some stiff competition from Edmonton, whose architectural prowess will be represented by projects like the Royal Alberta Museum, WSP Place, Edmonton Tower, Terwillegar Park Footbridge, and Rogers Place.

Studio Bell is another Calgary finalist, image by Forum contributor Surrealplaces

A panel of five distinguished judges will select the winners in multiple categories based on design functionality and appearance, the construction process, usage of unique or innovative construction materials, and the project delivery method. Companies are allowed to submit as many projects in each category as they choose. The categories are as follows:

• Civil—Over $50 Million
• Civil—Under $50 Million
• Commercial—Over $50 Million
• Commercial—Under $50 Million
• Institutional—Over $50 Million
• Institutional—Under $50 Million
• Industrial—Over $50 Million
• Industrial—Under $50 Million
• Design (in Commercial, Institutional and Industrial categories)
• Sustainability

Edmonton finalists include Rogers Place, image by Forum contributor Daveography

The winners will be revealed in the winter issue of Alberta Construction Magazine and officially recognized at an awards luncheon on November 30. Calgary's Taylor Centre For The Performing Arts was awarded the 'Project of the Year' for 2015; can a Calgary project come out on top again this year?