Bow Valley College

East Village isn’t the only place that’s a hive of construction activity; across the street, Bow Valley College is undergoing $175 million in renovations and expansion to add another 70,000 sq. ft of space. The base of the building will be extended toward the property lines and new windows installed; the lower three floors of the existing building will be transformed, creating a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly environment. Entry to each building will be into a multi-storey atrium – each will complement the other from across the avenue, appearing as smooth volumes of glass. The highly transparent atria will give passers-by a sense that the space of the street is a part of the space of the College – and will open the school up to its neighbours in East Village. According to GEC Architects, the group responsible for the facelift, the design ”puts Bow Valley College’s most public face forward and symbolizes its openness and accessibility, while creating visual interconnectedness, orientation and organization within.“ Those are the kind of neighbours we love.

Photo Credit: Dave McLean