The recently expanded BMO Centre in Calgary has been recognized on the global stage, securing three prestigious international architecture awards for its striking design and engineering. While the project team focused on creating a landmark for the community, the accolades serve as a welcome validation of their work for the city.
Award-Winning Design and Civic Pride
The facility's sweeping metal-panel facade, innovative engineering, and numerous design touches that respectfully nod to the Stampede's western heritage impressed award juries. This combination led the expansion to win both the American and International Architecture Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design for 2024, in the civic and exposition hall categories.
In a separate honour, the project was also recognized by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. The award ceremony for this distinction was held at the historic Acropolis in Athens, Greece, in September 2024.
"The awards represent the recognition of an amazing team and product that is second-to-none," said Kate Thompson, CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), which led the project. She added, "None of the team members does this for any awards but it's recognition for them and our city."
The Collaborative Team Behind the Transformation
The award-winning expansion was the result of a major collaborative effort. The core team included CMLC, the Calgary Stampede, and a consortium of design and construction firms: Populous Stantec, S2 Architecture, O2 Planning and Design, PCL Construction, and M3 Development. Their work over several years resulted in a massive 580,000-square-foot addition to the convention centre.
The Chicago Athenaeum stated its awards are dedicated to global excellence in architecture and highlight cutting-edge contemporary design. The jury praised the BMO Centre for successfully blending modern architecture with "textures and materials rooted in the city's history and surrounding landscape."
Rooted in Calgary's Identity
While the $500-million expansion's sleek, curved exterior is an immediate visual standout, project leaders emphasize that its deep connection to local identity is equally important. The design incorporates materials like blackened steel and copper to evoke a rustic, authentic feel.
"If you picked it up and moved it to another city, it wouldn't be right," said Jim Laurendeau, executive vice-president of the Calgary Stampede, during a recent tour. "You see the blackened steel, the copper that give a kind of barnyard feel. This belongs in Calgary."
Inside, vast spaces like the 50,000-square-foot Champions Ballroom are engineered to have no supporting columns, showcasing a high ceiling adorned with motifs reminiscent of horse blankets. The expansion, which opened to the public in June 2024, has quickly become a central hub for major events, solidifying Calgary's position as a premier destination for conventions and exhibitions.
