The Arts Commons Transformation expansion breaks ground

December 11, 2024

On December 11, partner Kevin Bridgman joined project partners, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, Arts Commons, and the City of Calgary to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) expansion. 

At the heart of the ACT expansion, currently the largest arts-focused infrastructure project in Canada, is an intentional effort to create a performing arts space that is of Calgary — a place where everyone is welcome and comfortable.  

Working together with Calgary’s Hindle Architects and Arizona- and Calgary-based Tawaw Architecture Collective, this concept guided the entire design process and laid the groundwork for a design philosophy centered around community, arts, and culture. 

The project introduces a three-storey building near Olympic Plaza with a 1,000-seat multi-purpose theatre and 200-seat theatre, ground-floor cafes, bars, and an event space on an upper floor.  

Deep research and focused engagement led to the concept of a lodge as inspiration for the design of the building that includes a gently curved building form, the use of natural materials, and a design spirit that welcomes you in to share and hear stories. The lodge opens to embrace the adjacent public plaza and captures natural light from Alberta’s expansive sky, creating a performing arts space that will welcome Calgarians with open arms. 

Construction will begin in January 2025. 

Read about the Arts Commons Transformation expansion here.