Formerly Calgary Event Centre, Scotia Place is a new civic landmark opening fall 2027 that will redefine how Calgarians gather, celebrate, and connect. As landscape architecture and public realm design lead, we intentionally concepted the space as an “always-on” destination, where Flames game-day excitement spills into everyday life. Expansive plazas, promenades, and performance-ready spaces accommodate both big events and spontaneous activity.

Two core principles drive our approach: 1) Prioritizing intuitive, safe circulation for crowds of all ages and abilities, and 2) Acknowledging the generational and Indigenous aspects of the building as we shape a more flexible, diverse environment.

Fixed planters double as safety features and social seating, while interpretive public art emphasizes storytelling tied to the surrounding landscape. Above all, the design facilitates indoor-outdoor experiences that can effortlessly adapt to meet the city’s needs now and later.

Located in the heart of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District, Scotia Place demands creative solutions to integrate access, mobility, and programming within a constrained site. We coordinated closely with transportation engineers to strategically address crowd swell and queuing to ensure comfortable movement for thousands.

Budget and schedule pressures required proactive leadership offering cost alternatives, phasing strategies, and construction methodologies without compromising design intent. As a result, the civic area will support a state-of-the-art arena while delivering enduring value as a go-to gathering place for decades to come.