BMO Centre Expansion

As a large-scale expansion to Calgary’s BMO Centre, this project balances practical needs with bold civic gestures. Located in Stampede Park the convention centre’s design channels the excitement of the annual expo with a celebration of Western heritage. Embracing the energy of the neighboring midway, a sleek canopy clad in perforated aluminum panels extends beyond the main building, landing as the Pavilion that creates a distinctive new plaza in an area once home to The Stampede Corral, which for many years hosted hockey games, concerts and other events. The Pavilion has integrated lighting behind the perforated metal panels to create dynamic lighting shows that operate each night, providing a spectacle for passersby no matter the time of year. From the onset of the project, we immersed ourselves in local culture, taking the time to get to know our client, contractor, consultants, and craftspeople as a unified and dynamic team. The design uses a reimagined modern western palette with a touch of grit throughout the building. Calgary’s history is woven seamlessly into our design solutions through forms shaped by local traditions. A mix of earthy agricultural materials contrasting more glamorous components was inspired by a cattle wrangler crashing into the dirt with sunlight reflecting off his polished belt buckle. The neutral interior background is bathed in light, upon which rough-hewn, warm materials are interspersed as patrons ascend the building. A welcoming collection of gathering spaces are arranged around a central hearth, complete with a monumental indoor fireplace—Canada’s largest. Notable materials include embossed leather, blackened steel, warm copper, hand-made red clay tile, and fumed wood. The Exchange’s bar layout was inspired by barrel racing, a signature event at the Calgary Stampede that has been performed as early as the 1950s. A custom steel lasso winds through the space, framing the entire room with the iconic rodeo symbol. The 70-foot-tall fireplace hand made of blackened steel by local craftspeople, stands at the heart of the Exchange. Our design team also recreated the Stampede’s iconic ‘Neon Cowboy’ mural as a marquee installation and a unique art collection was curated through local galleries. The Grand Ballroom’s exquisite ceiling was inspired by light peering through wooden barn boards. Patrons can peer through the expansive ballroom glazing and on a clear day they can catch a glimpse of the Canadian Rockies that surround the Calgary skyline. During the 10-day Calgary Stampede festival it is common to find cowboys silhouetted against that Calgary skyline, as if you are looking through the opening of a historic Alberta barn. Patrons can witness a highly functional convention experience with touches of unparalleled hospitality woven throughout. The result of this meticulous research and attention to detail is a convention centre that synthesizes cutting-edge design and western tradition on the international stage unlike any other in the world.