RC122 JanFeb 2026 - Magazine - Page 24
ARTS & CULTURE
Sustainability as a creative driver
Arts and culture buildings o昀昀er a powerful opportunity
to showcase a commitment to sustainability for a diverse
audience of visitors. Approaching these projects with a
creative mindset, integrating energy modeling, climate
resilience strategies, embodied carbon, and holistic sustainability strategies re昀氀ect what is most important to the
facility.
For the Werklund Centre Transformation (formerly Arts
Commons Transformation), consulting work was done for
both the expansion new build and the modernization of
the existing facility.
With both new construction and renovation opportunities, The City’s Sustainable Buildings Strategy drives e昀케ciency and building performance at the Werklund Centre
Transformation and adjacent Olympic Plaza.
This collaboration with KPMB has been an inspiring
journey, bringing together compliance with local energy
codes, alignment with The City’s ambitious sustainability
standards, and coordination with the team revitalizing the
adjacent plaza.
By viewing sustainability as a creative driver—not a
constraint—engineers and consultants ensure that each
arts and culture building re昀氀ects the values of resilience
and responsibility shared by the community it serves.
Education through design
Arts and culture buildings provide a shared space to
experience cultural events. They’re also places of learning.
These buildings host workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and
performances that educate and inspire.
By designing buildings that support diverse programming and evolving needs, institutions like the Glenbow
24—RENEW CANADA –JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
Museum and Contemporary Calgary ful昀椀ll their educational mandates and reach broader audiences. Strategic
additions and programming can support the 昀椀nancial
sustainability of arts and culture institutions, ensuring
these spaces continue to educate and inspire Calgarians
and visitors alike for years.
Celebrating the intersection of art and engineering
Barry Charnish has a passion for arts and culture projects.
The principal and senior structural engineer at Entuitive,
has worked on projects across North America, including
the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the Four Seasons
Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Remai Modern art
gallery of Saskatchewan.
“Working on arts and culture buildings is incredibly
rewarding,” says Charnish. “These projects challenge us
to think di昀昀erently. To balance technical precision with
artistic vision. They’re spaces where people come together
to experience something greater than themselves, and it’s
an honour to help bring those spaces to life.”
Building new frontiers for arts and culture
Calgary’s status as a cultural capital continues to grow
and evolve as the city’s populace expands, with major
municipal and private stakeholders partnering to complete projects such as the Calgary New Central Library,
the Calgary Event Centre, and the expansion of the BMO
Convention Centre.
Working in the arts and culture sector re昀氀ects the ideals that have helped Calgary rise: collaboration, community, innovation, accessibility, and sustainability. These
projects also enrich the lives and culture of current and
future Calgarians.
RENEWCANADA.NET
DIALOG, CMLC
L to R: The unique,
awe-inspiring façade at
Glenbow Museum is part
of a complete building
reclad.
A rendering of the
Werklund Centre
Transformation
(formerly Arts Commons
Transformation) which
includes an expansion
new build and
modernization of the
existing facility.
