From glowing glass domes to playful, tactile pavilions, Calgary’s downtown is set to dazzle this winter. The City of Calgary, in partnership with Chinook Blast, is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Winter City Design Competition: Serenity Passage and Dot Spot. These visionary designs were selected from more than three dozen submissions for their creativity, community engagement and ability to redefine winter as an exciting experience rather than just a season.
“Calgary’s future success relies on downtown being a place for Calgarians and visitors to live, work, learn, play and shop year-round,” says Kate Zago, Project Lead, Winter City Design Competition. “We’re thrilled to once again partner with Chinook Blast and showcase the incredible and imaginative designs that will bring light, energy and joy while redefining what it means to thrive in the coldest months of the year.”
Launched in 2021, the Winter City Design Competition encourages artists, architects, and designers to reimagine Calgary’s outdoor spaces for winter, turning the coldest months into an inspiring and engaging time to connect in the heart of our city.
“The Winter City Design Competition is all about unlocking creativity and highlighting the transformative power of dynamic public spaces in the winter months,” says Leah Petrucci, lead designer of Serenity Passage. “Through the creation of Serenity Passage, I look forward to showing Calgarians the beauty of glass blowing and hope to create conversation, evoke thought and provide a chance for people to connect with their city – and one another – in a completely different way.”
Joshua Clarke, one of the designers behind Dot Spot, echoes Leah’s sentiment. “Our team at HEREBY is passionate about how design can bring people together and enrich public space, especially during the winter season. We’re excited to unveil Dot Spot and offer a new destination to the downtown that encourages people to stay, connect, and celebrate winter together.”
The competition is part of The City’s Winter City Strategy, which strives to celebrate Calgary’s unique winter opportunities and identify ways to create more economic, social and cultural opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses during the winter months.
Both installations are free to the public and designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities, inviting Calgarians and visitors alike to explore downtown this winter. Discover these breathtaking installations, explore downtown Calgary and take part in Chinook Blast festivities Jan. 31 – Feb. 17, 2025. For more details and event updates visit Calgary.ca/wintercity.
Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan is a forward-looking vision and step-by-step plan for the reinvention of our city’s downtown. It’s designed to bring new life, new people and new ideas to Downtown by helping it grow from a 9-to-5 business hub to a day-and-night neighbourhood for all. The strategy, and the incentives that accompany it, are designed to enhance economic vitality and cultural excitement in the heart of the city by making downtown a home for the Calgarians who choose it and a desirable year-round destination for locals and visitors alike.
Installation Information
Serenity Passage
· Location: Century Gardens, 826 8 Avenue SW
· Dates: Jan. 15April 15, 2025
Serenity Passage is a temporary art installation featuring over 200 blown glass rondels created in collaboration with glass artists from Calgary and surrounding areas. These rondels are arranged within an illuminated archway forming a seven-foot-tall, five-foot-wide passage accessible to individuals of all mobility levels. Upon entering the Serenity Passage, visitors experience an immersive environment with a glowing glass dome overhead, encased in plexiglass. Serenity Passage is an interactive installation that brings community members together to enjoy the winter season.
Dot Spot
· Location: Bow River Pathway, near 6 Street SW
· Dates: Beginning of February, 2025 – April 15, 2025
The Dot Spot Pavilion is a vibrant, interactive public art installation. The design is inspired by the snow sled or flying saucer, a familiar winter object for many Calgarians. Rooted in childhood memories of tobogganing, the sled is repurposed as the main architectural material. The pavilion uses rotating circular sled elements, making it a tactile, eye-catching centerpiece. By fostering community connections and outdoor activities, the pavilion transforms the urban environment into a warm and engaging space, embracing the spirit of winter.