CALGARY, AB
Calgary New Central Library
Named one of Architectural Digest’s 12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018, the New Central Library is one of Calgary’s most important and distinctive cultural institutions.
The New Central Library occupies 278,000 ft², including public space, and 40,000 ft² for future library expansion.
The building structure was built over Calgary’s busiest LRT line, which bisects the site and occupies approximately 40% of the site area.
Since completion, the library has received significant recognition and numerous awards.
The library’s design puts a strong emphasis on public accessibility and community-oriented spaces, with 80% of the building, including collections areas, allocated to public space.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
CLIENT
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation;
Calgary Public Library;
City of Calgary
ARCHITECT
Snøhetta (Design Architect);
DIALOG (Executive Architect)
OUR ROLE(S)
Structural Engineering Consultant
SIZE
278,000 ft²
BUDGET
$245 M
MARKET (OFFICE)
CALGARY
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Challenge One
Build a new landmark civic building with an anticipated high level of community engagement over an existing, busy LRT line that bisects the site on a radius with minimal disruption to its operation.
Solution One
Entuitive developed a transfer system that creates the opportunity for a contiguous floor plate above the LRT line with a regular grid system that maximizes future flexibility. This forms the basis for the encapsulation – a new concrete structure that clear spans approximately 12 metres across the existing Calgary Transit South East corridor LRT tracks, just north of the exiting CP Rail tunnel.
It is the first time in Calgary’s history that an active LRT line has been encased to enable an above-grade development project – an achievement that Calgary Municipal Land Corporation referred to as “a real feat of engineering.”
GALLERY
