Model

Exterior of wing

Meeting room

Bedroom

Stair

Graham Edmunds Architecture

Project Summary

The building is a 171 suite guest accommodation and meeting/conferencing facility. The project is carefully integrated into the sensitive mountain environment. Graham Edmunds were part of a design/build team directed by a project manager and including a General Contractor and major sub trades. This project was well under budget and completed expeditiously.

The concept was able to maximize the site sensitively and achieved approximately 30% more units than was originaly expected.

Project Description

The Professional Development Centre provides a retreat-like atmosphere on the Banff Centre campus.

The concept of retreat implies spaces for contemplation and discussion in a relaxed, informal setting. The building nestles itself into the wooded site preserving a number of prominent fir trees and arranges the meeting and conference space around a central forest. The radial form takes advantage of the site opening up a view for a majority of the 171 suites to the mountain valley.

The rotunda form reinforces the notion of "meeting space" as a retreat space, separate from the guest suites while the open frame expands the space into the forest setting; this creates a focus for the building and expresses the richness of the heavy timber structure and its' rundlestone base.

The building is of a conventional wood frame and heavy timber (log contruction). Exterior cladding consists of rough hewn cedar and cedar shingles with an extensive log detailing supporting the exterior balconies and other pieces. The log structure is expressed thoughout the public areas and the interior millwork, doors and cabinet work are constructed in solid wood and Douglas fir veneers.

The post-and-beam construction of the core and the linear form of the wings respond to the existing architecture of the campus, bringing to it the detail of the "Arts and Crafts" movement of the 1900's. The intent is to achieve a comfortable fit within The Banff Centre, the Park, and the Town of Banff.

Drawings

First Floor Plan
Second and Third Floor Plan

Vicinity Plan

Lounge Chair Design
Armoire Design

Project Details

Location		Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta
Client		Banff Centre
Architects		Graham Edmunds Architecture
Cost		$15 000 000
Completion		April 1996
Notes		Size: 8,900 square metres

Other Graham Edmunds Architecture Projects

Calgary Convention Centre Renovations
Canadian Airlines Saddledome Improvements
Prince’s Island Estates
Professional Faculties Building

This project was published on 1996.09.01.

[ AA: Home · Firm Directories · Published Projects ]