Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Encana trying to make its mark on Calgary skyline

Shin Pad · 12-08-2005, 10:23 PM

Well, I am a Consultant to many Architects in this City, and one of the problems I see is that the Owners/Developers aren't really inspired to create great Architecture. They only think about the bottom line. You could be the best Architect in the World, but if you have an Owner that doesn't want to pay for it, you will end up with some of same crap that we now have in this City. There are some great pieces of Architecture around Calgary, but there is also a lot of buildings that leave a lot to be desired.

Having said that, there is going to be a new wave of high rises in the downtown area over the next 3 or 4 years. Some of the preliminary designs I have seen, look pretty good.

And one other thing - 5th Avenue Place was designed back in the day when big dark bronze curtain wall clad boxes were all the rage. All glass buildings were a fairly new concept. Calgary isn't the only place to have this type of building - just look at Pacific Centre in Vancouver (built a few years before 5th Avenue Place) - it's another big dark bronze curtain wall clad box.

12-08-2005, 10:23 PM	#16
Shin Pad Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Oct 2001 Exp:	Well, I am a Consultant to many Architects in this City, and one of the problems I see is that the Owners/Developers aren't really inspired to create great Architecture. They only think about the bottom line. You could be the best Architect in the World, but if you have an Owner that doesn't want to pay for it, you will end up with some of same crap that we now have in this City. There are some great pieces of Architecture around Calgary, but there is also a lot of buildings that leave a lot to be desired. Having said that, there is going to be a new wave of high rises in the downtown area over the next 3 or 4 years. Some of the preliminary designs I have seen, look pretty good. And one other thing - 5th Avenue Place was designed back in the day when big dark bronze curtain wall clad boxes were all the rage. All glass buildings were a fairly new concept. Calgary isn't the only place to have this type of building - just look at Pacific Centre in Vancouver (built a few years before 5th Avenue Place) - it's another big dark bronze curtain wall clad box. Last edited by Shin Pad; 12-08-2005 at 10:27 PM.