Architect who designed some of Alberta's most striking buildings dies of asbestos exposure

An architect who designed some of the most iconic buildings in Calgary and southern Alberta has died at 74 from asbestos exposure he incurred during the early years of his career.

Ken Hutchinson designed hundreds of buildings in Western Canada, includingthe Saamis Teepeein Medicine Hat and theHobbema Healing Lodge(PSkstw Centre) in Mskwcs, which is built in the shape of a medicine wheel, as well as numerous other recreation centres, libraries, fire halls, theatres and schools in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

Other notable buildings he designed include the Engineered Air Theatre at Arts Commons in Calgary, the Calgary Real Estate Board, the Museum of the Regiments, and Fort Saskatchewan's DOW Centennial Centre.

He was also involved in renovating Calgary's Old City Hall, the McDougall Centre and Memorial Park Library.

Hutchinson was born in Red Deer and raised in Edmonton. His family said he chose to become an architect after helping his grandfather build a house as a child.

He was inductedinto the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2010, and there's an architectural scholarship in the name of Hutchinsonand his wifeat Athabasca University.

Hutchinson won dozens of awards over his long career, heading up his own architecture firm for more than 35 years.

In his spare time, Hutchinson loved volunteering with the the Calgary and Cochrane Rotary clubs, painting, sailing and vintage cars, his family said in a release.

"Ken will be remembered not only for his exceptional professional contributions that have impacted so many lives, but also his unending sense of humour and 'glass-half-full' outlook on life," the release read.

He is survived by his wife,Janny,two children, Keesa and Kodi, and three grandchildren. The couple was married for more than 40 years.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Glenmore Reservoir pathway bridge hits bump(s)
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |2 dead, police searching for suspect in northwest Calgary shooting