With the University of Calgary’s goals of increasing residential capacity and specifically providing housing choices for their graduate student population, this new, seven and eleven storey, 394 bed graduate residence is phase one of a two phase project. The residence is comprised primarily of one and two bedroom self-contained suites c/w casual living space, designed to meet both the needs of the academic community and define a new, competitive option for housing on Campus.

The residence is defined as two building wings varying in height, to scale and redefine the street edge along Collegiate Road NW, a main arterial road that will eventually lead to the future West Campus Precinct. The wings are connected by a one storey glass link housing a communal multi-purpose room, project room, study lounges and informal ‘living’ area. Phase 1 (as described) and the future Phase 2 development will be defined by five main building volumes of varying heights, connected by both interior and exterior communal space at grade. The site has been master planned to accommodate an eventual graduate student population of approximately a thousand students.

As delivered in 2010, an aggressive schedule and design/build delivery system was implemented but this time with the added challenge of an associated two project, two phase program with a master planning component. A full architectural design development package and performance specifications was produced in sixteen weeks for the two projects. The design team continues to be involved at present, acting as advocate architect to the University throughout the tender process and construction phases.