Calgary RiverWalk West -Design Competition Shortlist

SpruceLab, along with the talented Dub Architects and Hapa Collaborative, has been shortlisted for the Calgary RiverWalk West design competition! This competition seeks ideas and solutions from design consultants that can help the City of Calgary create a healthier riverside experience at Bow River, downtown, with connections to support a thriving community as the city continues to evolve. 

This competition is part of a broader plan the City of Calgary has to connect neighbourhoods, improve options for active transit, improve on stormwater management, and to improve residents' connection to nature and the river. It is a great opportunity to support the wildlife communities that utilize the river corridor green spaces, and to connect people more closely with these creatures. Spaces like this also serve as a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of downtown, providing many health benefits to those using the space. 

As the City states on their website: 

“Calgary’s future success relies on our downtown being a place where people want to live, visit, set up business and go to work. When our downtown thrives, Calgary thrives. As the investment and support into downtown grows, Downtown West will transition into a thriving urban neighbourhood. The western gateway to Greater Downtown will be RiverWalk West - a vibrant, high quality riverfront destination, with park and pathway amenities that connect communities and people to the Bow River and the downtown.”

Calgary is located on the Traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina, Blackfoot Confederacy of Siksika, Piikani, Amskapi Piikani and Kainai Nations, the Stoney Nakoda, and Métis, and the City is located on Treaty 7 lands. SpruceLab is leading aspects of the project to consider ideas to incorporate Indigenous design and placemaking, and to seek ways for First Peoples to be significant contributors to the final design, such that their needs and voices will be heard throughout the entire project.

We are honoured and thrilled to be part of this landmark project, and look forward to working with the City of Calgary if our team is successful in being selected to realize our vision for Calgarians (and all of the creatures living along the river in this area). To read more about the design competition and the shortlisted teams, see the City of Calgary’s announcement here.

Map by City of Calgary

The coolest design team assembled, before touring the riverside park system by scooter.