[Wooster]

I thought I'd start a poll in our development and construction thread as this is a fits probably better in this section:

Please vote for your favourite, but you could also rank and provide your critique of the designs:

==================================

1. Allied Works with BKDI

Link to Video and Description:
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/meet-the-architects/allied-works-with-bkdi/allied-worksbkdi-the-concept/

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821618.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821620.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821613.bin?size=620x400

Buildings, as distinct from all other arts, carry a particular silent power that is rendered more potent in a time when all media, all information, and all voices attempt to speak at higher and higher decibels. Rather than seek novelty in form, architecture must create inspired experience. When we build we provide measure and reference for society, but more, buildings amplify our perceptions, understand­ing and aspirations. The more specific and focused the act of building, the more significant its impact upon individuals and the more profound its participation within our cities. It is this essence, revealed in the architecture, which will resonate within a culture and endure through time.

The National Music Centre is an extraordinary instrument, silent and powerful, brought to life by its programs, collections and performances. The new building forms rise as sentinels around the re-born King Eddy, marking the entry to the East Village and new Music District. The towers are beautifully crafted cases that hold the specific potential of a rich musical experience. The building, a gathering of resonant vessels, exists to be ‘played’ – to emanate music, light and activity.

The new design draws from the iconic landscapes of Canada: evoking the canyons and mountains of the west, the silence of the prairies and the energy and diversity of urban space. These forces and influ­ences are concentrated into the National Music Centre, creating a spirit of architecture that inspires and renews.

Inside, new experiences that synthesize architecture, music and interactive media unfold. More than an empty vessel for the programs and collections, the building is the bridge between audience and performer, student and teacher, the body and the collection. It invites inquiry and experimentation, and is a point of contact between hands, minds, materials and ideas. Like a well-crafted instrument, the architecture is capable of a wide range of expression, and holds the potential to create profound, personal and moving experience.

=====================================

SPF Architects

Link to video and descrption:
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/meet-the-architects/spfa/spfa-the-concept/

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821619.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821614.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821625.bin?size=620x400

Take me to the Bridge: The Cantos’ Foundation National Music Centre is a bridge from the East to the West and a gateway to the East Village.
Music on Every Level: The collection, the performance spaces and Classrooms are integrated throughout the building to create opportunities for engagement between otherwise isolated communities.

Eddy: The King Eddy is a place where generations of Calgarians have enjoyed music and each other’s company; it represents a link to the past of Calgary and to the sonic routes of the community.
We honor that past by incorporating it into a new architectural scenario. We’ve kept the Eddy grounded despite the road literally being pulled out from under him and we have added a new layer that preserves the past and allows it to continue to accrue additional layers of history and meaning.

The Soundscape: The soundscape is the heart of this project. A hollow chamber within the buildings mass, vibrations of air and light move through the space reflecting off of its walls warming it’s surfaces describing it’s volume and shape.
The soundscape does not just aurally and visually connect spaces, it is the space where a new and larger community is formed around sound.

An incubator for new music and a repository of Canadian musical culture, this project establishes a space for community within the building and a place for Cantos in the city, while restoring a unique piece of Calgary’s musical heritage to its throne.

Galleries-Laboratory meets living room: The Cantos collection is poised to expand and transform, a variety of flexible spaces finely tuned to its needs awaits. These spaces will develop organically just as the existing collection has writing a new story about the relationship of musical instruments to the architecture and culture that surrounds them.
Black is the New Green: The building insulates and shelters the collection soaking in the sun, calibrating and controlling its light while repurposing its energy to feed the institution.

A Day in the Life: You arrive about midday after lunch, perhaps, and start in the lobby, move up to the mezzanine and view the Rolling stones mobile recording studio, possibly hit the orientation gallery, enter into the soundscape and move up to performance 1- possibly to see a small classical ensemble. After that, continue up the soundscape to one of the galleries and end up potentially at the research area and archives. Once you have had your fill, you could spend a little more time perusing the deconstructed cowboy on level 3 and finally end up in the performance gallery at the very top and catch an avant garde jazz act. But, what you really came for was some heart thumping blues- and you are only about a 30 second elevator ride away that would land you within feet of the King Eddy Club stage and its bar. By now, you are certainly ready for a beer and the first riffs of John Lee Hooker’s “Hobo Blues”.


====================================

Ateliers Jean Nouvel Workshop

Link to video and description:
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/meet-the-architects/ateliers-jean-nouvel-workshop/

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821624.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821611.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821615.bin?size=620x400

The National Music Centre of Canada will be visible. It will keep the brick envelope of the existing King Eddy hotel entirely and will rise in a light and slender tower volume above it. The Tower will appear as an open piano or music box, revealing the brass and wooden inside of a complicated instrument through its cantilevered open lids on the East façade and roof.

The design relies on the opacity of its South and East façades to dramatize these openings and the vertiginous vertical views into and out of the building. The narrow vertical space of the façade gap ties the interior of the building visually together and visitors will never have to wonder where they are on each floor as they descend through the collection spaces.

While the East façade can serve as a giant screen for night time projections, the perforated skin of the West Façade is a fragile, diaphanous full height image that shines like a warm coloured magic lantern at night.

At the street level, the sidewalks slope down by as much as 4’ to follow the grading of the 4th Street underpass creating a stunning detail at the base of the King Eddy. Under the existing façade, a glazed gap opens gradually, offering insights into the Club and a new, 4’ lower entrance below the existing one.

This entrance scenario sends the message that the King Eddy continues to be a low place, close to the street and easily accessible for everyone.

The Club occupies the full three floor height of the old King Eddy Hotel with a main floor and two mezzanine levels. Playing a half-empty house in such a place puts less pressure on the musicians because the void seats of the upper floors can disappear into the dark and the room feels smaller. When the mezzanines do fill up with walls of people, the place keeps a compact and intimate feel despite its size. Spectators on the lower mezzanine can drink, eat and watch a show from a continuous counter around the central void.

During the day, sunlight pours through 52 windows in the existing brick façade and makes the Club a comfortable place to be for breakfast or lunch. At night it becomes a dark and glamorous space with a range of finishes from black iron to white leather and raw bricks to polished stone.

The Collection visitors will enter through a separate large opening in the brick wall of the existing East façade that can be closed like a secret door at night. Elevators will take them to the top floor of the museum from where they can descend in a continuous promenade through seven museum floors, discovering sudden vistas of downtown Calgary, the Bow River and the Rockies on their way.

The vertical stacking of exhibition floors gives maximum flexibility to close and rebuild individual levels without disrupting the overall visit of the place.

At the top of the tower lies a performance space that offers views downwards reflected in the mirror underside of a large cantilevered roof lid.

A large sky light shows a stunning view of the streets below, reflected in the mirrored underside of the tilted roof lid above. When this space is rented out for weddings or events, large sliding panels can be moved away to uncover breathtaking views of the city.

From the street level to the top floor, the Open Piano Tower will be a place for music in its most tolerant understanding. It could become a place for the city and perhaps the world to come together in harmony.

=====================================

Saucier and Perrotte with GEC Architects

Link to video and description:
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/meet-the-architects/saucier-perrotte-montreal-with-gec-calgary/saucier-perrottegec-the-concept/

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821617.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821623.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821616.bin?size=620x400

The idea of conceptually multiplying the form of the King Eddy was the initial starting point for the design. Spaces evoking its shape are replicated and displaced throughout the new project in order to reference its history. The building path then becomes a unique three dimensional topography that links these replicated objects/spaces, so that the visitor experience is akin to a journey through a new landscape with the historic presence of the King Eddy felt throughout. The movement of people and their experiences of the diverse collections of the Cantos Foundation is what animates this journey through music and sound. The building envelope acts as a skin of clear and smoked glass that ties all the parts together, as it reacts to the activity within and reflects the surrounding urban context. The design of the facades skin manifests in three dimensional terms of the sounds represented by the music we hear. Doing this is instructive to visitors in visualizing the way sound works, and is also a signature treatment for the façade unlike that of any other building.

In addition to its striking formal expression, some of the principal elements that characterize the project include 1) the ground level lobby, which is not limited to the indoors, but which expands outward into the street and city, bringing the history of the King Eddy into the new building; 2) the substantial urban event opportunities generated by the design and program of the new project; and 3) the innovative reverberation space that will undoubtedly become a signature feature of a project positioned to be a major landmark in Canada. And just as the National Music Centre serves to bring new life both socially and economically to East Village around the clock, it will set an example in environmentally conscious design.

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Diller Scofidio + Renfro architects with Kasian

Link to video and description:
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/meet-the-architects/dsr/diller-scofidio-renfrokasian-the-concept/

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821622.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821612.bin?size=620x400

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.calgaryherald.com/gallery+concepts+canada+music+centre/1821652/1821621.bin?size=620x400

The National Music Center is an un-museum, a hybrid that merges cultural, educational and social space. The proposal bridges the King Eddy site and Site B across 4th St, producing a gateway to the East Village and anchoring the music master plan. The main building is conceived as the bountiful, younger partner of the Eddy. It leans toward the Eddy as if by magnetic attraction; its corner is undercut in solidarity with the Eddy’s chamfered corner entry. The public enters the main building from the east and south.

The Mixing Room is the nerve center of the complex. It is a grand vertical space that slices across the main building partitioning the program in two; the large presentation spaces are to the north and the smaller, interactive learning spaces to the south. This atrium-like space is lined with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall super-vitrines that store and display the “living collection.”

The largest artifact in the collection is the King Eddy. The architectural language of the Living Collection is extended across 4th St. the Eddy’s outer skin is preserved and rebuilt on site, making sure to prevent ghosts and memories from escaping. A new music room is tipped into the shell; its floor is stepped for cabaret style seating for 200 diners. Wrap-around galleries adjoining the bar informally hold another100 patrons. Entry is from the east under the tipped volume, featuring surviving photos of the Eddy’s past. An open-air void between the original south wall of the Eddy and its new liner provides a space for the street public to casually watch and hear performances from “backstage” through the glass rear wall. The tipped roof of the new Eddy makes an ideal surface to watch fireworks during the Stampede.

At night, the National Music Center will be a glowing beacon swirling with activity.

=================================

[CorporateWhore]

I voted for SPF, but i still want to see more about Nouvel's proposal. It HAS to be more interesting then that, even if it all comes together based on materials and lighting.

[You Need A Thneed]

Based on what I know, I voted SPF.

Knowing more details could change my mind, as both Nouvel and Allied works could be the best or worst depending on those details.

I wouldn't be offended with any one of them, they all look good.

[lubicon]

I voted for DSR due to the uniqueness of the building, but I would say that either of the first 2 building would probably be the choice that is made. They just seem to 'fit' better (llos wise) in a conservative city like Calgary and they would probably be received positively by most people. The other options are likely too 'outrageous' for msot Calgarians.

[Spring2008]

I voted DSR, but would be just as happy with SPF......man it's getting hard to keep up with all these abbreviations.

[Ramsayfarian]

I'm the odd man out here, I like the BKDI one the best. Not because it's conservative as lubicon mentioned, but because has done the best job at retaining the King Eddy. I feel that this project has embraced the performance aspect of the center slightly better than the other ones. I'd then pick SP second.

SPF looks more like a barricade than a gate. It's kind of reminds me of the Borg for some reason, maybe because it looks kind of dark and foreboding.

[CorporateWhore]

Honestly, while the King Eddy has some great history, I think it's real charm is what has happened on the inside, not by any sort of visual element you can see. Putting most of the focus on the Eddy itself in a project like this would be a waste of an opportunity in my opinion. In the end, maybe the best scenario would have been to build on another peace of empty land and let the King be by itself.

[jeffwhit]

After sleeping on it I changed my vote to SPF. I swear one of the firms was working with Sturgess?

[MichaelS]

I find SPF to be a little to massive. When looking especially at the 3rd image of it, it just seems like it would overshadow anything to the north of it, and cut the East Village off right at what is supposed to be one of its main entrances (4th Street underpass).

My vote was for Saucier and Perrotte, based on the images provided. However now that I am looking again, I see there is the potential to have the same issue as SPF, in that it will seem to foreboding over 4th Street. It doesn't look like it to me based on what is shown, but then there isn't a rendering showing the same angle as SPF.

[Ramsayfarian]

Honestly, while the King Eddy has some great history, I think it's real charm is what has happened on the inside, not by any sort of visual element you can see. Putting most of the focus on the Eddy itself in a project like this would be a waste of an opportunity in my opinion. In the end, maybe the best scenario would have been to build on another peace of empty land and let the King be by itself.

I agree with you 100% with regards to having it on another site and let the Eddy be the Eddy. It's not like there's a shortage of available land in the East Village.

A restored Eddy combined with Cantos in the Crack-de-Sac would of been perfect. They could of integrated the old St. Louis.

Cantos did not need the King Eddy and The Eddy didn't need Cantos to save it. Dar Macbool (sic) had an awesome proposal that would have restored the Eddie minus the groady strippers and kept it a live music venue.

If only I could king for a day.

[Rusty van Reddick]

I agree with you 100% with regards to having it on another site and let the Eddy be the Eddy. It's not like there's a shortage of available land in the East Village.

A restored Eddy combined with Cantos in the Crack-de-Sac would of been perfect. They could of integrated the old St. Louis.

Cantos did not need the King Eddy and The Eddy didn't need Cantos to save it. Dar Macbool (sic) had an awesome proposal that would have restored the Eddie minus the groady strippers and kept it a live music venue.

If only I could king for a day.

Fun fact: Darr Maqbool's real name is actually Maqbool Dar.

[CorporateWhore]

What's that guy doing playing developer anyway? What happened to his weatherman gig?

[Ramsayfarian]

Fun fact: Darr Maqbool's real name is actually Maqbool Dar.

I did not know that, considering I didn't know how to spell either one of his names that's not too surprising.

Not sure what happened to his weatherman gig, I think he was let go. I don't think he wanted to be a developer, it's more like he wanted his old favourite bar back. It was not uncommon to see Darr at the Eddy having a beer or two as he killed time between newscasts. Which, now that I think of it, might explain why he's no longer on TV.

[mooky]

Other then the dark black facade of the SPF design I'm liking everything else, not to say I hate the black, I'm just not sure. Maybe it will grow on me. But I see the functional argument side of the black considering we are a cold weather city.

The glass surround around the bases on both sides of the street, the open see through sections of the upper levels, etc, etc, they all look amazing.

[Dice]

I pick SP + GEC Architects since it creates the most balance IMO.

Here's what I find wrong w/ t/ other four proposals:
(1) Allied Works w/ BKDI - A bit bland with too much reliance on white/grey.
(2) SPF- Black & orange color mix seems awkward & bldg resembles a fort.
(3) AJN - Altho I like towers, the Calgary Herald mentioned today that 7 stories would be dedicated to Cantos. What about the other 11 or so stories? Maybe I'll like this project best if/when they let us know what the rest of the bldg would be used for.
(4) DS + Renfro - Reminds me too much of the redeveloped Royal Ontario Museum. Calgary's ever increasing cultural identity should stay away from imitating that of other more 'established' Canadian cities.

I think SP w/ GEC provides a good blend of conservative, modern, & futuristic & doesn't try to be so different that it looks weird.

[kap384]

Certainly not an easy choice (other than putting SP + GEC last for me)

Voted for DS + Renfro. Best massing and IMO and decent incorporation of the Eddy.

Nouvel is the next for me, but echoing what others are saying, needs more detail. Interior space description (openness, mirrored roof element) intrigued me. East Village development in that corner would need to be built to complement the height though.

Like lots of elements of SPF (perforations inside, glass), but worried about that massive wall it creates.

Allied is interesting too. Like the concept for the Eddy.

[jeffwhit]

Could we merge the two Cantos threads?

[Calgarian]

Lets keep the posting in this one.

[unibrain]

No matter how tall this Cantos proposal is, the view of it from the Stampede grounds will be gone in a few years... the towers proposed for Railtown will create a visual tree wall.

-My pick would be SPF. I really like the acoustics they are trying to play off of. The mix of the space is pretty good, and I love the King Eddy concert hall proposal with the floating balconies.

-DSR is interesting, but I feel the building appears as a very small building, and given it's a museum and function space, should have more flex room. Moving instruments in and out of the cubes like a giant vending machine is an interesting idea, but I'm curious as to if they would be doing much of that.

-SP's proposal is interesting, but I feel like the style of architecture has been proposed here before (ala Acera building?) and it does remind me of City Hall for some reason. The one thing I feel caught up with is it appears the gallery/museum spaces are lined up along a hall/ramp type of area.. If it's anything like the winding halls and confusing corridors of the Alberta Performing Arts, then we have a problem.

-AJN has potential for sure, given we didnt hear about the other site, and the future phases.. It's hard to imagine people going up 15 floors for studios or to check out the museum. The budget would be spent building the narrow tower, and the site across the street wouldnt be developed for some time... using the building as a projection screen, and a potential future phase with a rooftop bleacher area is a really cool idea. Hard to imagine moving pianos up and down such a narrow tall building though.

-Allied works has potential, but I feel the architecture is a bit bland for this type of use. Museums (especially music ones - Seattle's Music Experience) should be LOUD and fun. Although like others have said, in theory, practicality, and use, this one stays close to the common goal.

Either way, we're getting a really neat piece to add to the collection. Either proposal, you can bet they'll get to use 4th street annually for a blockparty like any other block party.

[ummagumma66]

the SPF design is the best by far, I was drooling all over my keyboard whilst watching the presentation video

[Calgarian]

No matter how tall this Cantos proposal is, the view of it from the Stampede grounds will be gone in a few years... the towers proposed for Railtown will create a visual tree wall.

-My pick would be SPF. I really like the acoustics they are trying to play off of. The mix of the space is pretty good, and I love the King Eddy concert hall proposal with the floating balconies.

-DSR is interesting, but I feel the building appears as a very small building, and given it's a museum and function space, should have more flex room. Moving instruments in and out of the cubes like a giant vending machine is an interesting idea, but I'm curious as to if they would be doing much of that.

-SP's proposal is interesting, but I feel like the style of architecture has been proposed here before (ala Acera building?) and it does remind me of City Hall for some reason. The one thing I feel caught up with is it appears the gallery/museum spaces are lined up along a hall/ramp type of area.. If it's anything like the winding halls and confusing corridors of the Alberta Performing Arts, then we have a problem.

-AJN has potential for sure, given we didnt hear about the other site, and the future phases.. It's hard to imagine people going up 15 floors for studios or to check out the museum. The budget would be spent building the narrow tower, and the site across the street wouldnt be developed for some time... using the building as a projection screen, and a potential future phase with a rooftop bleacher area is a really cool idea. Hard to imagine moving pianos up and down such a narrow tall building though.

-Allied works has potential, but I feel the architecture is a bit bland for this type of use. Museums (especially music ones - Seattle's Music Experience) should be LOUD and fun. Although like others have said, in theory, practicality, and use, this one stays close to the common goal.

Either way, we're getting a really neat piece to add to the collection. Either proposal, you can bet they'll get to use 4th street annually for a blockparty like any other block party.

Have you seen Railtown?


So what does the collection have? Is Cantos still in the Customs House?

[unibrain]

Railtown is well underway, and it's a massive project that incorporates a variety of 40+ storey mixed use buildings, podium retail/cultural uses, open plazas, and public service (highspeed rail station) centered in the middle. They are still working on the architectural aspect of it, but it all seems very futuristic.. like a spaceport community in the movies. This project is phased, and they need to focus on high quality construction, and not build out based on high demand. It's a project similar to the Century project in Edmonton, where you are building a new community within an established/established community. This project needs to set the standard for East Village private development.. especially when located in front of the Cantos.

[Wooster]

Sounds interesting. I just hope that Railtown is sufficiently human scaled and fine-grained. If they're going with 40 storey towers, I hope they're part of pretty substantial and proportionate podium buildings of say 6 storeys or so. I worry it will become something like City-place in Toronto which is a monolithic planning disaster.

[Calgarian]

Railtown sounds exciting, something futuristic will contrast the Stampede Trail well I think.CAn't wait to see what this does to that area, lots of positives lately.

[MarkL]

I agree with you 100% with regards to having it on another site and let the Eddy be the Eddy. It's not like there's a shortage of available land in the East Village.

A restored Eddy combined with Cantos in the Crack-de-Sac would of been perfect. They could of integrated the old St. Louis.

Cantos did not need the King Eddy and The Eddy didn't need Cantos to save it. Dar Macbool (sic) had an awesome proposal that would have restored the Eddie minus the groady strippers and kept it a live music venue.

If only I could king for a day.

I spoke with Maqbool Dar at the Folk Festival, where he is the "celebrity meteorologist" (seriously, that's what's printed on his pass). I asked him what his opinion was on the Cantos designs, and he didn't really have one.

He mentioned that he was a little disappointed that his bid wasn't chosen, but said that it wouldn't have mattered anyways since his financial backing didn't survive the recession, meaning that had he won, it never would have been (re)built anyways. He also stated that Cantos has the backing of the Mannix family (billionaires).

[AUM]

I would be surpised if the city will approve or show support for a whole development of point towers for Railtown. I think Remington needs to look at what happened with this last development period and rethink how Railtown is developed. I think the looking at more midrise block developments with mixed-use programming and better urban design characteristics would be much more successful that a series of podiums and point towers. That's just my thought. I am not a Tower hater....but I really don't think that is a model that will create a vibrant neighborhood.

[Wooster]

^ I tend to agree. I don't mind towers, even a lot of towers, but I think with that scale there should be a mid-rise perimeter block characteristic of about 6or so floors with towers rising at strategic locations. More the Waterfront type massing versus Arriva.

Your description seems to definitely be the direction that the East Village master plan is going in. Primarily mid-rise, heavily mixed, top notch public realm, cultural uses etc. I hear that master plan will be released shortly.

[Calgarian]

^ I tend to agree. I don't mind towers, even a lot of towers, but I think with that scale there should be a mid-rise perimeter block characteristic of about 6or so floors with towers rising at strategic locations. More the Waterfront type massing versus Arriva.

Your description seems to definitely be the direction that the East Village master plan is going in. Primarily mid-rise, heavily mixed, top notch public realm, cultural uses etc. I hear that master plan will be released shortly.

Can't wait to see that.

[STAMPER]

what is it with real architects proposing buildings via renderings that look like every material is a variant on gossamer? i'm curious how DSR can sleep at night with a proposal like that, knowing there isn't a chance in hell their proposal could be built as represented. I'm all for pushing the envelope, but that's ridiculous. Saucier + Perrotte isn't much better, but at least the success of their design isn't based on some fantasy notion of invisible structure and glass that lets in light but no UV (mechanical systems anyone?) The DSR scheme has some nice things about it, but it's kind of an undeveloped one-liner that falls apart when you introduce any elements of reality. Allied is much better in this department. i can at least SEE how it would be constructed and SEE the materiality from the renders - not much swindle going on. SPF does the best job here. they look like they actually took a stab at working out the building with their design and bothered to work it into the renders. I don't know where to start with the JN entry - it's like the architecture student who shows up to a crit with a pretty model that took no work no thought and has nothing to do with the program. I hope he wasn't paid to produce that schlock. and what's with that fly-thru? he needed a big arrow pointing to which building was his or something. Yes JN, i KNOW what the Calgary skyline looks like (not a whole lot like that actually) and no your project DOESN'T impact it noticeably. Sad. So sad, and somehow insulting.

meanwhile, 'Go Cantos!' and kudos for pulling this together. we may all be critical but it's nice to have something worth getting worked up about going on in this town. and with the exception of JN, all the architects clearly put some muscle into this effort and deserve thanks.

[You Need A Thneed]

Yes JN, i KNOW what the Calgary skyline looks like (not a whole lot like that actually)

He actually had the Bow and EAP (the old version) finished in his skyline fly through. Maybe that's why it looked different to you.

[fishgangmember]

It looks like the forum is reading my mind!
The SPF project is the strongest for many reasons, Cantos would be wise to go with them.

Just to clarify some of the confusion of previous posts; I was in the audience at the Cantos presentation last week as the competitors presented their entries. It was stated that the local architect with SPF was indeed Sturgess Architecture.

A good team that knows the city and know the project.

Let's hope Cantos gets it right!

[Bigtime]

So Sturgess was with SPF then, they had my vote before and they sure as hell have it now! :tup:

Edit: Welcome to the forum STAMPER and fishgangmember!

[Wooster]

what is it with real architects proposing buildings via renderings that look like every material is a variant on gossamer? i'm curious how DSR can sleep at night with a proposal like that, knowing there isn't a chance in hell their proposal could be built as represented. I'm all for pushing the envelope, but that's ridiculous. Saucier + Perrotte isn't much better, but at least the success of their design isn't based on some fantasy notion of invisible structure and glass that lets in light but no UV (mechanical systems anyone?) The DSR scheme has some nice things about it, but it's kind of an undeveloped one-liner that falls apart when you introduce any elements of reality. Allied is much better in this department. i can at least SEE how it would be constructed and SEE the materiality from the renders - not much swindle going on. SPF does the best job here. they look like they actually took a stab at working out the building with their design and bothered to work it into the renders. I don't know where to start with the JN entry - it's like the architecture student who shows up to a crit with a pretty model that took no work no thought and has nothing to do with the program. I hope he wasn't paid to produce that schlock. and what's with that fly-thru? he needed a big arrow pointing to which building was his or something. Yes JN, i KNOW what the Calgary skyline looks like (not a whole lot like that actually) and no your project DOESN'T impact it noticeably. Sad. So sad, and somehow insulting.

meanwhile, 'Go Cantos!' and kudos for pulling this together. we may all be critical but it's nice to have something worth getting worked up about going on in this town. and with the exception of JN, all the architects clearly put some muscle into this effort and deserve thanks.

I agree with you there. I think SPF will be selected ultimately due to its level of thought as well as buildability.

Good to hear sturgess is on that team.

[Stephen Ave]

I don't think DSR's proposal is that crazy. It looks like it could be built easily enough. I think their proposal works as a museum.

what is it with real architects proposing buildings via renderings that look like every material is a variant on gossamer? i'm curious how DSR can sleep at night with a proposal like that, knowing there isn't a chance in hell their proposal could be built as represented. I'm all for pushing the envelope, but that's ridiculous. Saucier + Perrotte isn't much better, but at least the success of their design isn't based on some fantasy notion of invisible structure and glass that lets in light but no UV (mechanical systems anyone?) The DSR scheme has some nice things about it, but it's kind of an undeveloped one-liner that falls apart when you introduce any elements of reality. Allied is much better in this department. i can at least SEE how it would be constructed and SEE the materiality from the renders - not much swindle going on. SPF does the best job here. they look like they actually took a stab at working out the building with their design and bothered to work it into the renders. I don't know where to start with the JN entry - it's like the architecture student who shows up to a crit with a pretty model that took no work no thought and has nothing to do with the program. I hope he wasn't paid to produce that schlock. and what's with that fly-thru? he needed a big arrow pointing to which building was his or something. Yes JN, i KNOW what the Calgary skyline looks like (not a whole lot like that actually) and no your project DOESN'T impact it noticeably. Sad. So sad, and somehow insulting.

meanwhile, 'Go Cantos!' and kudos for pulling this together. we may all be critical but it's nice to have something worth getting worked up about going on in this town. and with the exception of JN, all the architects clearly put some muscle into this effort and deserve thanks.

[Boris2k7]

I voted for SPF, but i still want to see more about Nouvel's proposal. It HAS to be more interesting then that, even if it all comes together based on materials and lighting.

What he said. I like the street level interaction on SPF's design a lot, but the rogue in me wants Jean Nouvel's proposal for the height and slenderness -- the issue being the images don't seem to do it justice?

On another note, BKDI's proposal tugs me in different directions. I am not sure I like the styling, but it is very difficult to tell the external materials apart from these images. I do like the fact that it allows a lot more light on the road due to it having a Plus-15 rather than crossing over. By the same virtue, however, it also means that the design feels less unified.

DSR's and S&P's designs strike me as being a little too close to the "blob architecture" we've seen in other cities over the past decade. While it is important to look at buildings on a case-by-case basis, I find that buildings like the ROM Addition are visually striking but make for poor street interaction and also have very awkward interior spaces (and wasted space!)

[You Need A Thneed]

My wife and I are checking out the Cantos collection this evening. Has anyone else checked it out? If so, what was your impression of it?

[Calgarian]

I'm curious to know what they have there, can you take pictures?

[You Need A Thneed]

I'm curious to know what they have there, can you take pictures?

Hmmmm, I could take a camera along.

Here's the checklist of what they have. (http://www.cantos.ca/explore/collection-checklist)

[You Need A Thneed]

Tour was great, my wife and I were the only two people that showed up for the tour, so it basically was a free tour.

The instruments you see are almost all keyboard instruments, organs of all kinds (the theatre organ is really cool), pianos, harpsichords, some quite old stuff, oddities (transposing piano, etc), lots of early synthesisers (think knobs and patch cords, lots of them, mellotrons, stuff like that. You can play a few of the instruments yourself, and the guide plays most of the instruments that they highlight.

The tour was about an hour, and quite interesting (but my wife and I are both interested in that kind of thing). If you played a piano, or are interested in musical instruments, I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy the tour.

They've got the renderings on posters up in their lobby of the five finalists, fairly high quality, better quality then I've seen on the web.

They are looking to have construction completed by mid 2012, I think she said July.

[Hed Kandi]

Culver City, California based firm, SPF Architects recently presented their design concept for the Cantos National Music Center for Calgary. The project is “seen by many as one of the country’s most ambitious and important urban-design projects.” Located in the center of Calgary, the new music center will not only focus on performance areas but will become more of a cultural space as it will be “part museum and part education.”

More about the Music Center after the break.


http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/night-r02.jpg


More pics and info here:
http://www.archdaily.com/31672/national-music-center-spf-architects/#more-31672

[Tarsus]

They are supposed to choose the winner in September for this. Does anyone know what date in septmeber?

[Calgarian]

I thought I heard something about the 30th.

[Calgarian]

Hmmmm, I could take a camera along.

Here's the checklist of what they have. (http://www.cantos.ca/explore/collection-checklist)

Just checked over the list and I saw a Piano from 1770 on there, that's crazy!

[You Need A Thneed]

Just checked over the list and I saw a Piano from 1770 on there, that's crazy!

They have a harpsichord from 1580 something I believe.

[Calgarian]

They have a harpsichord from 1580 something I believe.

yeah 1591. I don't even know what a Harpsichord is! lol

[You Need A Thneed]

yeah 1591. I don't even know what a Harpsichord is! lol

The predecessor to the piano. The strings are plucked instead of hammered, like a piano.

[Calgarian]

Yeah, I googled it. I never realized how extensive their collection is, would be better with Jimi Hendrix's guitar or Neil Peart's drums or something, though I get the impression that they don't do rock n roll. lol

[You Need A Thneed]

It's not that they don't do rock and roll, they mostly just do a history of keyboard instruments. In as much as that intersects with rock and roll, they do rock and roll.

I think that's what makes the collection great, is that it's pretty specific. Lots of places might have a history of music instruments museum, but this is specifically a history of Keyboard instruments.

I know quite a bit about keyboard instruments, and I think it was a good collection. And then remember that they only have about 200 of the 700 pieces that they own actually on display. Their new building will make the collection even more amazing, IMO.

[jeffwhit]

Yeah, I googled it. I never realized how extensive their collection is, would be better with Jimi Hendrix's guitar or Neil Peart's drums or something, though I get the impression that they don't do rock n roll. lol



Well, this is in their collection: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stones_Mobile_Studio

it doesn't get much more rock n roll than that, I mean Bring Your Daughter To The Spaughter was recorded in it. If you've been to Cantos it's obvious why it isn't on display yet.

[jeffwhit]

National Music Centre at the King Eddy Design Entries on Public Display

September 1, 2009, Calgary, AB - After a wildly successful sold-out public presentation of five competing designs for its national music centre at the King Eddy project, Cantos Music Foundation has put the entries on public display at Bankers Hall, then Bow Valley Square throughout September.

"The public interest in our design competition has been phenomenal," says Andrew Mosker, Cantos' executive director. "We felt as many Calgarians as possible should be able to see what our competing architects have submitted - and this was a great way to do it."

Designs from five world-renowned architects will be on display weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Bankers Hall from August 31 until September 4 and at Bow Valley Square from September 14-18, 2009. Cantos staff will be on hand to answer questions about the national music centre project and the foundation.
Comments about the designs can be made on the Cantos website and the board of directors will announce the winner on September 23, 2009.
The national music centre project vision is to create a 17-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week hub for music including a live music venue, recording studios, collections, artist-in-residence programs, radio broadcasting, educational programs, emerging artist development and more.

For more information on the project, the architects and their designs, visit www.cantos.ca/kingeddy (http://www.cantos.ca/kingeddy)


Media Inquiries:
Camie Leard, Manager Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Cantos Music Foundation
(403) 543-5122
leardc@cantos.ca

[Innersoul1]

Hey All,

I apologize in advance if this has been covered already. I am teaching this year so I have been out of the loop with the recent goings on here. I am quite enamoured with the SPF and Saucier designs, however, does anyone feel that they create a giant wall at that location, similar to the elevation of city hall from the east?

[Wooster]

Hey All,

I apologize in advance if this has been covered already. I am teaching this year so I have been out of the loop with the recent goings on here. I am quite enamoured with the SPF and Saucier designs, however, does anyone feel that they create a giant wall at that location, similar to the elevation of city hall from the east?

It was discussed in the construction thread.

The thought was that it is a permeable wall because you can pass through it. It is also elevated 33 above grade which allows sunlight through. Beyond not being a big barrier, it is a striking design and more animated at grade, which is more interesting and engaging than the blank wall of city hall.

I don't think it's an issue.

[Innersoul1]

It was discussed in the construction thread.

The thought was that it is a permeable wall because you can pass through it. It is also elevated 33 above grade which allows sunlight through. Beyond not being a big barrier, it is a striking design and more animated at grade, which is more interesting and engaging than the blank wall of city hall.

I don't think it's an issue.

Thanks champ! I agree fully with your point. I think from the street either design would be captivating!

[You Need A Thneed]

Article on the front page of the entertianment section of the Herald today:
Architectural buzz 'great news'

Future music centre benefits from debate

BY NANCY TOUSLEY, CALGARY HERALDSEPTEMBER 3, 2009


Even people he doesn't know are stopping Andrew Mosker on the street and putting in their two cents worth by telling him which of the five shortlisted architects' proposals for the new National Music Centre at the King Eddy they like the best.

What with the buzz around this project, a re-envisioning of the Cantos Music Foundation, and the bridge designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to span the Bow River with no visible structural support, architecture is a hot topic in Calgary these days.

"I've had people stop me on the street and say, 'This is great news, we need this so much,' " Mosker says.

As executive director of the Cantos Music Foundation, Mosker is the public face and prime mover of the architectural competition that will physically transform Cantos into the National Music Centre at the King Eddy.

Five leading international architectural firms have been shortlisted for the job of designing and erecting the building, the first new cultural centre of this magnitude in Calgary since the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts opened in 1985. The winner is due to be announced in late September.

What will all this mean for Calgary?

"Cultural institutions really define a place," says Tony Lupino, former executive director of the Art Gallery of Alberta, who led the competition for a major overhaul of the Edmonton art gallery, acted as facilitator of the committee's discussions and has written the report on their deliberations. Lupino, who is 58 and a nonvoting committee member, points to the way the Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, has changed our idea not only of Sydney but of Australia.

"These are the institutions that say who we are."

Opinion has been buzzing in Calgary since the contenders-- Bertram Beissel of Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Paris; Andre Perrotte and Giles Saucier of Saucier + Perrotte, Montreal; Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works, Portland; and Zoltan Pali of Studio Pali Fekete Architects, Los Angeles --presented their ideas at a public forum on July 23. They unveiled their proposals at the Grand theatre, not only to the client but also to some 400 interested Calgarians who had purchased tickets to the event. More people had to be turned away at the door because it was sold out.

"I strongly believe that Calgarians are asking themselves, 'What kind of city do we want to live in?' " says the 40-year-old Mosker. "The fact that the arts, culture and design can be part of deciding that has floated to the top and it's being debated.

"People care more about the future of Calgary and architecture and design more than we are led to believe."

The initial call for expressions of interest in the project drew responses from 66 architectural firms from around the world.

The day after the architects made their presentations, an advisory committee sat down to deliberate the merits of the proposals based on criteria that can be put as questions: Would the building "say" Calgary, be a compelling architectural expression of the Cantos brand, and allow for expansion without compromising its architectural integrity?

Evaluation criteria also state that the building be the following:

-"An integrated creative space that combines best practices from performing arts centres, cultural centres, historic sites, museums, art galleries, recording studios, radio broadcast studios, artist-run centres, live-music venues and education facilities into a new centre that has eclectic mix of activities for multiple use and audiences 18 hours a day, 365 days a year."

-"A practical and innovative structure that facilitates the program of Cantos, ensures the conservation and growth of the important musical collection, and promotes accessibility to both the programs and the collection."

-"A catalyst for the revitalization of the East Village as a vibrant neighbourhood that will accommodate a diversity of lifestyles and promote positive interaction."

-"A catalyst for creating Canada's Music District within the East Village revitalization."

The committee, which met the day after the architects made their presentations, consists of artist Chris Cran, business expert Thomas D'Aquino, musician Jason Wilson, museum construction expert Joe Geurts, U. S. architect Steve McConnell, Senator Pamela Wallin and architect Ric Singleton, a Cantos board member.

Mosker, Singleton and Lupino will take the report forward to the Cantos board, which will convene early in September to make a selection.

"Our presentation to the board will be around all of the submissions with some suggestions, having heard all the discussions, about where we think it should go," says Singleton, 62, a former partner of Cohos Evamy. "We'll discuss all five and get it down to one or two and say these are the people we should pursue.

"The reality is there are two or three of these people any one of which will do a terrific job."

The board will convene early next month to make its final selection. However, the final result will not be exactly like renderings and plans in the proposal.

"These are not final designs," Singleton says, referring to the proposals. "These are a very strong indication of an idea. We're delighted with them and that this concept or that idea will be worked on. I think that it's very important for the public to recognize that this is a step in a process.

"Hopefully, we can raise the funds to get this done. That's the next major issue, this is the fun stuff."

To prepare for the competition, Singleton and Mosker toured major music, museum and heritage facilities in Canada and the United States, many with name architects' designs or renovations. In Canada, they visited the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Bata Shoe Museum, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Drake Hotel, a repurposed 1890 hotel, which has become a hub of visual art and performance art events.

In the U. S., they went to the Experience Music Project (Seattle), the Grammy Museum (Los Angeles), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (Cleveland), the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (Memphis), the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and the American Jazz Museum (Kansas City).

At the venues, they looked at the architecture and toured the exhibition galleries, storage spaces, and back-end operations areas. They talked to the staff and asked them what they like and don't about the buildings. One of their major concerns was how functional the architecture was and what they could learn about optimum functionality to bring home to the Calgary project.

"When the architects and the staff don't talk to each other, there are problems," Mosker says, something he hopes to avoid.

Lupino, who looked at 40 proposals for the Edmonton architectural competition, says he believes the proposals for the Cantos project represent some of the submitting architects' best work and designs that would not have been technologically feasible 10 years ago. "The competition will put Calgary on the map," he says. Regardless of who wins "every architect will be out there showing their Calgary project."

With an architect and drawings, Cantos could put shovels in the ground in 2010, says Mosker. What they need now is money. To reach its $70 million goal, Cantos, which has been fundraising for two years, is running a capital campaign and expecting confirmation on grants applications and several major gifts within the next three to six months.

"We're getting to a tipping point on securing funds," Mosker says.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

[Colin]

Looks like Cantos posted the presentations online on youtube. I actually might have changed my mind about my favorite proposal...

http://www.youtube.com/user/CantosMusicFdn

[Wooster]

Looks like Cantos posted the presentations online on youtube. I actually might have changed my mind about my favorite proposal...

http://www.youtube.com/user/CantosMusicFdn

Thanks for the link. I'll definitely be watching them all again. I notice too that the sneak peak of the East Village Master Plan is in there. Looks promising - I like how it will be a predominantly mid-rise perimeter block neighbourhood. :tup:

Which one is your new favourite? Was SPF your original favourite?

[jeffwhit]

^^Yeah, for those who couldn't make it to the actual event, I'm wondering if seeing the full presentations has made you rethink your opinion. I think I was a little to star struck by the idea of a Nouvel after the presentations, and I still think SFP is the runaway favourite. Also, they presented 4th, the order was DS+R, Nouvel, S+P, SPF and finally Allied works.

[Colin]

Thanks for the link. I'll definitely be watching them all again. I notice too that the sneak peak of the East Village Master Plan is in there. Looks promising - I like how it will be a predominantly mid-rise perimeter block neighbourhood. :tup:

Which one is your new favourite? Was SPF your original favourite?

My favorite was actually DS+R but I think I might have been swayed by SPF. If you noticed during the introduction of SPF, they mentioned that it was a boutique architect firm but was included in the short list because of its amazing initial proposal. Not only does SPF seem to have the best and most fitting proposal, but you seem to get the impression that this project will significantly change the firm for the better. If SPF was to won, I also like the idea that the winner was chosen based on the design rather than the name and I just always love to see an underdog beat a group of starchitects.

[Wooster]

^Indeed. It seems to me like they are really trying to make a name for themselves with this project, which is exciting for Calgary too.

[McPaul]

I really like the idea of the building as an instrument, but none of the proposals seems to execute on that idea well.

The SPF proposal was my clear favorite after watching each of those presentations today. It made the best use of the street level, and the best use of the old eddy as well. I love the idea of the soundscape. After seeing one of the angles in the video, the building looks a little too narrow I fear, and the soundscape seems to take up almost too much of the existing floorplate, but I'm sure this can be extended. I do liked the idea of the 'mixing room' one of the proposals had, where you can take instruments at any time from storage to display. Perhaps this can be integrated.

If they can widen the SPF and perhaps put up a rooftop terrace on the top, with space to look out over the stampede parade and fireworks, etc... I think this would be a perfect use of the space.

As it stands, it is just sooooo close to perfect! Thanks for sharing those videos. The pictures on page 1 did not do the presentations justice.

[Wooster]

2 weeks until the winner is publicly announced. Any predictions on the winner?

[Calgarian]

SPF is my choice, and I think that Cantos will choose them too. knock on wood.

Have any renderings of what the west side of the Jean Nouvel proposal will look like been released? that elevation will make or break that design.

[Wooster]

SPF is my choice, and I think that Cantos will choose them too. knock on wood.

Have any renderings of what the west side of the Jean Nouvel proposal will look like been released? that elevation will make or break that design.

See about 7:25 of this video from their presentation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMDNGPLV_9M&feature=channel_page

I want to like the Nouvel design, but I just can't. The point of it is to be iconic as a tower form, even though it is dwarfed by downtown and likely by the towers of Railtown to the south of it. Also, a blank opaque wall during the day doesn't seem that apealling to me.

Even having seen all 5 presentations in full now, I still like SPF - I think it's genius.

Dillier Scofidio would be my second choice, although I worry about its buildability based on its form. I worry that you'll have this nice transparent rendering with angled glass, much like how the ROM was proposed, then in the end it will be just covered in metal cladding.

S + P would probably be third, with Allied 4th and Nouvel 5th.

[Bigtime]

2 weeks until the winner is publicly announced. Any predictions on the winner?

So the decision is on September 23rd?

Rooting for SPF! :tup:

[Calgarian]

So once the winner is picked is this thing going ahead 100%, I'm a little skeptical, this is Calgary afterall.

[Wooster]

I think it will go ahead. In fact, I think funding announcement may even co-incide with the announcement of the competition winner. I think an article alluded to this possibility. It's not a huge budget project so I think relatively small contributions from all three levels of government and a portion from private donations which are well undeway will get the ball rolling.

[Colin]

I went to check out the proposals at Banker's Hall last week and the two staff members mentioned that SPF was their favorite. I'm really hoping it will win!

[jeffwhit]

Anyone going?
Event: Designs on Calgary: The Winner's Celebration
"Come celebrate the winner of our architectural competition"
What: Night of Mayhem
Host: Cantos at The King Eddy
Start Time: 23 September at 19:00
End Time: 23 September at 22:00
Where: Beside Cantos Music Foundation to the West

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=137682352675&mid=112494fG2cd9a270G69abeb8G7

[mersar]

I may, should be free that evening.

[Ramsayfarian]

So once the winner is picked is this thing going ahead 100%, I'm a little skeptical, this is Calgary afterall.

I'm confused by your, "This is Calgary after all." What are you referring to?

From what I hear, there are some very deep pockets with regards to some of the private benefactors of Cantos.

[Calgarian]

With the exception of a few projects, it seems like every nice proposal in this city never sees the light of day, or if it does is watered down. I hope like hell this project goes ahead as it would be a huge step forward for the quality of design and would finally show people here the importance of good design.

[You Need A Thneed]

I highly doubt Cantos would have put all the work into doing the competition for such an ambitious project if they weren't at the very least CLOSE to having all the funding for it, and were pretty confident that they could get the rest.

Also, they don't talk about going ahead "when there is funding" or whatever. They have a specific timeline for construction. I think that says something too.

[Calgarian]

Lots of companies hire Architects to design buildings, look at that Acera building from a couple years ago. Anyway, that's enough cynicism from me on this project, cant wait to hear who the winner is.

[Canterra]

Anyone going?

I got an invite too but I am off to Berlin next tuesday so will miss the party.
Say hi to Spike Richards for me.

[Innersoul1]

I highly doubt Cantos would have put all the work into doing the competition for such an ambitious project if they weren't at the very least CLOSE to having all the funding for it, and were pretty confident that they could get the rest.

Also, they don't talk about going ahead "when there is funding" or whatever. They have a specific timeline for construction. I think that says something too.

What is the timeline for construction?
Thanks in advance.

[jeffwhit]

^^The timeline for Cantos is almost certainly tied to the East Village and its new ARP. That doesn't help.

[Calgarian]

I thought I heard that they wanted to be in the new facility by 2012. Has the infrastructure in that area been updated yet?

[mersar]

They've said they want to be open in the new facilty by the time that Stampede Trail opens, so before July 2012

[jeffwhit]

^^That part of east village hasn't been worked on yet, it seems like they started in the opposite corner and worked out.

It would be sweet if we could get someone from CMLC on here.

[You Need A Thneed]

When I did the tour, I asked the staff member, and she said that they were planning to be done in June/July 2012.

[jeffwhit]

^^So what's a safe assumption for construction time for those proposals? 18-14 months? from ground breaking?

[Wooster]

Calgary Sun Survey about which proposal Calgarians prefer

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/kingeddy/home.html

[CorporateWhore]

Calgary Sun Survey about which proposal Calgarians prefer

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/kingeddy/home.html

I like how they will only publish the results after the winner has been announced. It's as if they are already hoping to create a story about how the elitist judging panel didn't go with what the people wanted. Then again, maybe I'm just paranoid!

[Innersoul1]

Wow with all of the excitement of the new bridges i just realized that the Cantos winner is to be announced TOMORROW!! WOWZAS! What a week!

[Bigtime]

I can't wait! SPF for the win!

[Wooster]

Yeah, in the midst of the brutal recession, we're getting a bit spoiled. I like it. I do look forward to private development picking up again, but there are promising signs with Luna and Waterfront.

Next big things to look foward to are the Epcor Centre and Central Library.

[jeffwhit]

I happen to know people who know people... I'm pretty confident I got the non verbal clue that my guess was correct today. I'll let you know tomorrow if I was right.

[Bigtime]

Non verbal clue eh? A wink? A slap on the buttocks? A bro hug?

:haha:

Do we know what time they are planning on announcing?

[Bigtime]

So it looks like they are announcing the winner in conjunction with having a party at the Cantos.

"Designs on Calgary"
7-10pm, September 23rd
134-11 Ave. S.E.

Edit: I wonder if it would be at all baby friendly?

[CorporateWhore]

Edit: I wonder if it would be at all baby friendly?

If you can keep your baby on mute, then yes. Oh, you mean for the baby? ;)

[Bigtime]

If you can keep your baby on mute, then yes. Oh, you mean for the baby? ;)

The Cuddly Wrap (http://www.peapodcreations.ca/) takes care of that, she loves hanging out in it! I wonder if the music (live bands) would be too loud for her?

In that case, who is going and tweeting the event so we find out the winner?

[mersar]

The Cuddly Wrap (http://www.peapodcreations.ca/) takes care of that, she loves hanging out in it! I wonder if the music (live bands) would be too loud for her?

In that case, who is going and tweeting the event so we find out the winner?

I'm going to try to make it, I have a couple apartments I'm looking at tonight in the beltline but I'm hoping to be done before it starts. So if I can I'll tweet a few updates.

[Wooster]

^ Moving to the big city?

[Bigtime]

I'm going to try to make it, I have a couple apartments I'm looking at tonight in the beltline but I'm hoping to be done before it starts. So if I can I'll tweet a few updates.

Am I following you on Twitter yet Mersar? If not what is your handle?

Good luck with the apartment search!

[mersar]

http://twitter.com/jasonreid

[Bigtime]

Excellent, I'll be following you.

[You Need A Thneed]

I'd love to head down there too, but seeing as the birth of our second baby is imminent, I'll likely not be able to make it down.

[Look way up]

So today is the day they decide isn't it? This oughtta be exciting!

[Bigtime]

I'd love to head down there too, but seeing as the birth of our second baby is imminent, I'll likely not be able to make it down.

Awesome news! :cheers:

[Surrealplaces]

I'd love to head down there too, but seeing as the birth of our second baby is imminent, I'll likely not be able to make it down.

A c'mon...a real forumer would skip the birth and make it down to see the design competition :)

Seriously congrats! I'm going to be in the same postion several months from now. We just got the news that my wife is pregnant. There'll be a whole new crop of little skyscrpaer nerds turning up in the city. :cool: