RC122 JanFeb 2026 - Magazine - Page 20
ARTS & CULTURE
CURATING CALGARY
Engineering spaces for Cowtown’s vibrant arts and cultural scene
by Sam Lane
A
Supporting culture beyond cowboys
Calgary is the fastest-growing major city in Canada, with
a population increase of 5.8 per cent between 2023 and
2024—the quickest among Canadian census metropolitan
areas. This city was also crowned as the best place to live in
Canada in 2025 due to its a昀昀ordability, career opportunities,
and outstanding quality of life. Calgary’s rapid growth and
status as a top Canadian destination drives a rising demand
for arts and culture infrastructure across the city.
“Calgary has long been celebrated for its western
heritage, exempli昀椀ed by the Calgary Stampede, and there’s
a vibrant arts and culture scene here that deserves just as
much attention,” says Brock Schroeder, CEO at Entuitive.
“We’re excited to have been part of the design team
for the SAM Centre, showcasing western artifacts in a
meaningful and modern way—but that’s just one part
of this story. From contemporary public art installations
to cultural institutions, we love to be part of projects
that re昀氀ect the spectrum of creativity and community in
Calgary and across Canada.”
Together, these services address challenges and
potential opportunities to create a space where Calgarians
and visitors can enjoy a vital, growing cultural scene.
Sam Lane, P.Eng. CPHD
CEM LEED AP BD+C O+M,
is Associate, Discipline
Lead – Sustainability
+ Performance with
Entuitive
Access to art for everyone
Working on projects that remove barriers and invite
everyone to participate in Calgary's, whether it's through
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universal design principles, improved acoustics, or
enhanced public spaces, helps make art more accessible and
inclusive.
“At Contemporary Calgary, we’re supporting KPMB
and GGA to transform an aging planetarium into a
vibrant, welcoming space that re昀氀ects the evolving needs
of the Contemporary Calgary modern art gallery,” says
Greg Riewe, senior associate at Entuitive. “This includes
the careful renovation and preservation of the heritage
building, the creation of a new sculpture park, and
the construction of a striking entrance pavilion and an
education wing.
“The project is about opening a public cultural space
where everyone can access and enjoy art. People can visit
the new entrance pavilion and café, the education wing
welcomes resident students and community programs, and
the galleries host accessible exhibits. Projects like this can
de昀椀ne the careers of our team members—it’s something
you can bring your friends and family to for years to come.”
Whether it’s supporting bold architectural visions or
helping bring public art to life, these opportunities connect
us with communities and remind us that great design can
be playful and expressive, and whenever possible, eyecatching.
Reconciliation through design
As a Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous
Relations (PAIR) certi昀椀ed 昀椀rm, Entuitive actively seeks
opportunities to participate in reconciliation through
design, elevating the voices and traditions of local
Indigenous artists, creatives, and elders. The façade of a
building is the single biggest opportunity to demonstrate
culturally and aesthetically signi昀椀cant elements to the
public.
“The Glenbow Museum is a great example of using
façade to communicate a fresh approach,” says Mike
Lembke, principal at Entuitive. “Our team is delivering
building envelope consulting and commissioning on the
full reclad of the building to allow for a more organic,
light, and transparent impression.”
Projects like Glenbow help reimagine how architecture
can support cultural connection—creating spaces that
invite re昀氀ection, dialogue, and inclusion.
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CMLC
S CALGARY EVOLVES into one of Canada’s fastestgrowing cities, a quieter but equally signi昀椀cant
transformation is underway—one that’s reshaping
its cultural identity. From new art galleries and
museums to performance spaces and public art,
Calgary is building the cultural infrastructure that
will de昀椀ne its next century.
Entuitive's structural engineering, building envelope,
and sustainable performance teams have had front row
seats building and re-shaping Calgary’s arts and culture
institutions. These are the museums, concert halls,
complex art installations, and cultural touchpoints where
ideas and identity converge. Engineering precision meets
the artistry of human experiences and cultures, while the
city’s infrastructure grows to accommodate.
