By Introduction
Commissioned by the City of Calgary to address downtown parking needs while promoting future development, the 9th Avenue Parkade + Innovation Center by 5468796 Architecture and Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning is a testament to innovative urban design. This project transforms a functional necessity into a dynamic space that adapts to evolving community needs.
Design Concept
The project’s primary challenge was to design a parkade that could later be converted into office, industrial, or residential spaces. Situated adjacent to key civic institutions, including the Calgary Library and City Hall, the design team devised a solution that bridged an underground rail easement, maximizing land use efficiency.
Architectural Features
An elliptical helix structure forms the core of the building, creating an expansive interior courtyard and shallow floor plates conducive to future daylight and ventilation integration. The absence of vehicular ramps, replaced by a gradual slope, enhances flexibility and minimizes future retrofitting costs.
Urban Integration
The parkade’s street-level entrance, flanked by pedestrian and bicycle access points, activates the urban frontage and complements the surrounding East Village neighborhood. Public amenities, such as a basketball court and café patio, enhance the vibrancy of the central courtyard, fostering community engagement.
Adaptive Design
A distinctive guard shroud envelops the structure, serving as both a pedestrian guardrail and future balcony infrastructure for residential or commercial suites. The design’s adaptability was tested when the building partnered with Platform, a local entrepreneurial hub, showcasing its potential for flexible office space utilization.
Interior Flexibility
Inside, the design incorporates open, flexible office spaces on the first two levels, with a suspended light-framed vehicular ramp offering a unique user experience. Organized around a central “pitch stage,” the space encourages collaboration and dynamic interaction, setting the stage for future innovation.
Future Potential
With 280,000 square feet of parking spread across six levels, the parkade offers vast potential for future conversion. Its shallow slope and adaptable floor plates facilitate seamless transformation into office, industrial, or residential spaces, ensuring long-term relevance and urban vitality.
Conclusion
The 9th Avenue Parkade + Innovation Center stands as a beacon of urban innovation, seamlessly blending functionality with adaptability and community engagement. By reimagining the traditional parkade as a dynamic urban asset, this project sets a precedent for sustainable, future-proof urban design in Calgary and beyond.
