Architecture and design firm Perkins&Will has unveiled its new Calgary studio in the historic Glenbow building at 822 11th Avenue SW, in the heart of the city’s bustling Beltline neighbourhood.
This strategic move to a public-facing workspace reflects the firm’s vision for a beautiful, sustainable, and equitable downtown through placemaking, adaptive reuse, and community-centric design.
“Opening our Calgary studio in the Glenbow building reflects our belief that design should be a catalyst and a source of inspiration for the community,” said architect Kaz Bremner, who co-leads Perkins&Will’s Calgary studio. “Here, sustainability meets public engagement. This new chapter allows us to turn our workplace into a launchpad for collaboration and innovation, where diverse voices come together to create meaningful change.”
The project transforms what was once a restaurant on the street-level of an iconic 1921 red brick building into a modern, high-performing creative environment. The design prioritizes health and well-being, with a focus on pursuing WELL and RESET Air certifications. Strategies like healthy material selection, quality lighting, continuous air quality monitoring, and controllable comfort systems all center on supporting human health.
The adaptive reuse approach revitalizes the existing street frontage while leveraging the structure’s embodied carbon. Reused furniture and low-carbon materials further reduce the project’s carbon footprint. The new studio also features amenities that promote active mobility, including end-of-trip bicycle facilities—elements that contribute to a livelier scene and increased foot traffic throughout the day.
“We’ve been working in Calgary for over 20 years on a range of project types, from multi-family residential and institutional to commercial, civic and cultural, and transportation, and we’re proud to be part of its story. This city’s potential is extraordinary, and we’re excited to partner with clients and the community to build a thriving, inspiring future together,” said Derek Newby, managing director of the Calgary studio of Perkins&Will.
