“It is essential we celebrate our achievements and recognize the remarkable design professionals in our city who have created inviting spaces for all to enjoy,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “These talented individuals transform ordinary areas into vibrant and welcoming community hubs through their innovative designs. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and winners.”
With 67 applications across 11 MUDA award categories, the milestone ceremony showcased excellence in design, construction and environmental stewardship. Since the program began in Calgary in 2005, 188 awards and honourable mentions have been handed out, with 10 of those winners going on to win National Urban Design Awards.
“We are thrilled with the variety and quality of the submissions, as they show real commitment to the awards program, and more importantly, how proud our design and development community is of the work that they are doing in this city,” says David Down, Chief Urban Designer with The City of Calgary.
The evening program featured a video reflecting on the evolution of the awards, some of the projects submitted since 2005, as well as how the awards have continually challenged firms to drive for placemaking excellence in the city.
Creating a welcoming city for people who live here now and for those who will live here in the future has always been the goal for The City of Calgary.
“While we at The City construct the framework for our city, it is the designers, engineers, planners, architects, artists and students like yourselves who bring the vision for a better city to life,” says Debra Hamilton, General Manager of Planning and Development Services at The City of Calgary.
“You create thoughtfully designed spaces that make people feel welcome, support pedestrian business activity, improve safety and accessibility, and create a memorable sense of place for people to enjoy.”
The awards ceremony closed with a panel discussion that tackled tough questions, including how bold designs can integrate into the necessary fabric of communities, and what factors should be considered in the city’s design future – namely how residents experience these spaces.
“I think very often because we sit on our side of the counter and we drink our own Kool-Aid; we will do great things, – but does the public experience them the way we think?” says panelist Bill Black, President and CEO of the Calgary Construction Association.
“In North America, more so than Europe, we tend to think it’s ‘good design if I like it and, bad design if I don’t’. There’s an education gap that design doesn’t always have to be what you like. But design does have to serve the purpose for which it was intended and to enhance the quality of life.”
To the professionals who participated in this year’s MUDA and those professionals who continue to make Calgary a special place, thank you for your passion, dedication and creativity. It is an honour celebrating you and the work you do.
Winners and honourable mentions can be viewed at Calgary.ca.
