BMO Centre Expansion

Designed virtually during a pandemic with teams straddling an international border, the BMO center is a shining example of what can be accomplished with multi-faceted talent and dynamic teamwork. Despite the challenges we faced, BMO Centre opened on time and on budget and was instantly embraced by the local community.¬

From the onset of the project, we immersed ourselves in local culture, taking the time to get to know our client, contractor, consultants, and craftsmen as a unified and dynamic team. Our research uncovered so many interesting stories about the people of Calgary, the surrounding Province of Alberta, and the Calgary Stampede - the largest rodeo in the world. Our challenge was to take the energy of this larger-than-life festival and capture it in the form of a building. Our deep dive into local culture ultimately led to a reimagined modern western palette with a touch of grit that we translated throughout the design of the building. Calgary’s history is woven seamlessly into our design solutions, through forms shaped by the stories and influenced by local traditions. A mix of earthy agricultural materials contrasting with more glamorous components was inspired by a cattle wrangler crashing into the dirt, with sunlight reflecting off his polished belt buckle. Our palette was intentionally limited to help convey the Calgary Stampede brand in a seamless way. The BMO Centre interiors feature a neutral background bathed in light, upon which rough-hewn, warm materials are increasingly interspersed as patrons ascend the building. Notable materials include embossed leather, blackened steel, warm copper, hand-made red clay tile, and fumed wood. The bar in the Exchange is encircled by a custom steel lasso that winds through the space. The bar layout was inspired by the path of barrel racing, a signature event at the Calgary Stampede that was performed by famous female cowgirls as early as the 1950s. At the center of the Exchange stands a 70-foot-tall fireplace hand made of blackened steel by local craftsmen. This is the tallest fireplace in Alberta and represents Calgary’s prominent industrial economy. Our design team recreated the Stampede’s iconic ‘Neon Cowboy’ mural as a marquee installation, and a unique art collection was curated through local galleries. The assembly of solid wood found in the ceiling of the ballroom is reminiscent of patterns found in historic indigenous beadwork, and the custom carpets are based on patterns of fine western blankets. 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 festival it is common to find Calgarian cowboys in silhouette 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 center unlike any other in the world.