November 14, 2024

Last night at the Mayor's Urban Design Awards (MUDA) gala event, two Diamond Schmitt projects were recognized with awards from the city of Calgary.

The Sam Centre, designed by Diamond Schmitt in association with FAAS, received an honourable mention in the Confluence Award category for buildings that achieve urban design excellence and creativity through awareness of the Calgary context, particularly its history and culture.

Designed to be a year-round immersive experience, the Sam Centre is a 30,000-square-foot, one-level vibrant community hub that serves as an extension of the Calgary Stampede. It celebrates the culture of community-building by bringing together diverse people from Southern Alberta, across North America, and around the world, a tradition that has marked the Stampede’s culture since 1912.

Inspired by traditional Alberta barns and agricultural structures, the building's linear architecture pays homage to the Stampede's rich history while embracing modern design. Its large, pitched roof brings in natural light by day and creates a glowing lantern at night and exposed mass timber and verandahs create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The interior spaces are flexible and adaptable, accommodating a variety of events that keep the Stampede’s history alive including exhibitions, workshops, performances, and social gatherings.

Mathison Hall, Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, designed in joint venture with GGA-Architecture, received the Green and Resilient Design Award which recognizes projects that are boldly responding to the Climate Emergency through excellence in sustainable design, reducing energy and resource consumption, and improving occupant health and wellness, all while showcasing urban design excellence.

With Zero Carbon Building Standards and LEED Platinum goals guiding its development, the Mathison Hall at the University of Calgary represents a significant leap in creating sustainable, innovative learning environments. Emphasizing durability, high-performance, minimal maintenance and supporting long-term functionality, the hall features natural ventilation, renewable energy solutions like roof-mounted PV panels and abundant natural light in all learning and social spaces. 

While the functional quality is impressive, the aesthetics are not left unseen, aligning with a vision of a sustainable, active lifestyle for the campus community. Inspired by simple gestures distilled from essential elements of the Alberta landscape–sky, horizon line and prairie–Mathison Hall includes public spaces that are versatile and adaptable for multiple uses - learning spaces, collaborative zones, and social areas. The space also honours Indigenous principles and fosters intercultural understanding while promoting inclusivity around The Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue, a unique circular meeting space suspended in the atrium.

Read more about the 2024 MUDA Award winners here.