'It feels like a changed city': International architect reviews Calgary's attractions during visit

Calgary's recent architectural successesshould encourage designers to aim small and build well-designed density in the core, a California architecture professor says.

Major and impressive projects like the Bow skyscraper, Studio Bell in the East Village and the new downtown Calgary Central Library have garnered international attention. Most recently, Architectural Digest lauded the library as one of the 12 most anticipated buildings of 2018.

"It's a pretty big deal. It's a really nice project," Andrew Kudless, a designer and architecture professor with the California College of Arts, told the CBC'sHomestretch this week.

Beyond the $245-million library's visual esthetic, it's unique how it's built over a C-Trainline, he said. The C-Train goes through the building, "which I think is really important to have in this city," Kudless said.

• Read more in the series, The Road Ahead

This and other Calgary projects are inspiring, he said, for the architectswho are collaborating this week with University of Calgary students on ideas for new urban design techniques as part of the the Taylor X Symposium at the St. Louis Hotel.

Kudlessexplored downtown Calgary this week on his first visit in about seven years.

"It feels like a changed city," he said. "I think the work that Calgary has done to densify the urban core is great, and continues to do that with all these upcoming projects like the library and others."

Studio Bell, for instance, is now an attraction for music lovers as it houses the National Music Centre of Canada. Its facade, whichtwists from the outside to the inside of the building, is excellent design, according to Kudless.

• ANALYSIS | The National Music Centre and how it fits into Calgary's music community

"The way it reflects the kind of beautiful skies you have here in Calgary is really phenomenal," he said.

Kudlessworked for Studio Bell's design firm, Allied Works Architecture, about 15 years ago, before it took on the project.

As Calgary tacklescommon city issues, such asbuilding density in the core,he says local designers are uniquely positionedto take inspiration from the big projects to insert good design into smaller ones and renovations.

Any old buildings known for poor design should be renovated, he said, arguing it's "always cheaper in the long run" to fix than to completely start over.

"Along with these buildings, there needs to be attentionto everything from public housing to parks, public art. It can't just be about these big name architects coming in and doing celebrated project," Kudless said.

"It's important to give access to good design at every level."

If Kudlessis right, Calgary's architectural success with big beautiful buildings could trickle into cleverly designed solutions to the city's current struggles with empty office towers and urban sprawl.

Calgary: The Road Ahead is CBC Calgary's special focus on our city as it passes through the crucible of the downturn: the challenges we face, and the possible solutions as we explore what kind of Calgary we want to create. Have an idea? Email us at calgarytheroadahead@cbc.ca

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