year

2029

client

CMLC, Arts Common, City of Calgary

location

Calgary, AB

TAWAW role

Design Team

architect of record

KPMB Architects

1

Background

Identity

 

Aims to create a performing arts space that reflects the city’s
essence, emphasizing inclusivity and community engagement.
Inspired by the Blackfoot traditions, the design focuses on
creating a welcoming environment for all, incorporating
elements such as the lodge, which symbolizes shelter, sharing,
and storytelling.

2

Approach

Culturally Expression

 

Spaces like the Gathering Circle serve as warm, inviting areas for public interaction, fostering connections to nature and promoting cultural understanding. Additionally, the use of the quill wall in the 1000 Seat Large Hall pays homage to Indigenous artforms, adding depth and meaning to the design.

TBD

number of community engagements
3

Impact

Co-Design Process

 

Through its thoughtful design and community-focused
approach, ACT aims to become a beacon for cultural exchange
and artistic expression in Calgary by blending Indigenous
cultural elements with contemporary design principles, creating
spaces that honor local traditions while welcoming diverse
communities.

Awards

Honorary Fellow


The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is proud to announce that Wanda Dalla Costa, a prominent Indigenous voice and practitioner in North American architecture, has been awarded honorary fellowship for 2022. Wanda Dalla Costa is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation and was the first First Nation woman to become an architect in Canada. Her firm, Tawaw Architecture Collective, is based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the director and founder of Arizona State University’s Indigenous Design Collaborative, a community-driven design and construction program that brings together tribal community members, industry and multidisciplinary teams of university students and faculty to co-design and co-develop solutions for tribal communities. Dalla Costa is a prominent Indigenous female voice within the architectural profession–specifically within the academic sphere in North America.
Awards

YBCA's 100 Honorees: Wanda Dalla Costa


Indigenous Design Collaborative's founder and design director Wanda Dalla Costa was recognized as YBCA 100 list of change makers and cultural activists working at the intersection of art, social change and civic life.
Awards

Trailblazer Award: Wanda Dalla Costa


Presented this year as part of NZ20, the world's largest net zero conference and expo, the Trailblazer Awards celebrate leaders who are building a net zero future through their work in the carbon, energy, water, waste, transit and/or policy sectors.
Awards

St. Lawrence Center Competition Award 2023

Awards

Jeff Harnar Award
Unbuilt Architecture 2021