A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
GEC Architecture marks its 50th
It was in 1966 that Don Stevens launched a Calgary architectural practice that has grown — both organically and internally — without the aid of a merger or acquisition into GEC Architecture. Today the firm boasts 50 staff in Calgary and another 10 in its Edmonton office who guide clients through every spectrum of a design project.
Next week GEC will begin a series of celebrations that will take the firm into its 50th anniversary year. GEC has much to celebrate given its large portfolio of innovative buildings and the experience behind a broad range of services including master planning, process and stakeholder workshops, architectural and interior design, urban design and construction contract administration.
Stevens was joined by Barry Graham, David Edmunds, Ken Cartier and a number of other partners. It became known as Graham Edmunds Cartier before changing its name 10 years ago to GEC Architecture. Its philosophy and focus have remained consistent, and today there are eight partners overseeing the two offices.
It’s hard to look around Calgary without seeing the fruits of the company’s work; wonderful structures though few may know their designer.
Everybody recognizes the Saddledome, completed in 1983, and the Olympic Oval, built for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. They’re part of a long list of “Play” facilities in GEC’s range of projects that also fall under the themes of Learn, Live, Innovate, Gather and Connect.
The Play list includes other spectacular buildings such as the Markin MacPhail Centre for WinSport Canada. The athletic and ice complex features a national high performance sports training centre, a 2,500seat international ice arena, three NHL standard ice surfaces, an office building and the National Sports School. Built at a cost of $ 168.5 million, it attracts athletes from around the world. On a smaller scale, another lauded design is its Fenlands Banff Recreation Facility, which meets stringent Banff National Park standards.
GEC is also responsible for the design of two new recreational centres in Calgary. The Quarry Park and Rocky Ridge facilities are both owned by the City of Calgary but will be operated by the YMCA. Quarry Park contains an aquatics centre, gymnasium, running track and fitness studios and also houses a public library and large daycare centre. Rocky Ridge will include a hockey and leisure ice component and a 300- seat community theatre.
Over the coming year, GEC will be showing off many of its notable past projects stretching back to the Molson Brewery in Vancouver to its more recent projects that include the Telus Convention Centre, the basic concept for the west LRT, redevelopment of all of the stations along 7th Avenue in partnership with Sturgess Architecture, the renovation and addition to Bow Valley College and its new South Campus building.
I was excited to see the designs for the YYC Airside Connections Corridor that will be a passenger and baggage link between the existing terminal and the new International Facilities Project. I also had a peek at the proposed new headquarters and school for the Alberta Ballet Company. GEC Architecture continues to be awarded some very exciting projects.
NEWS AND NOTES
Congratulations to Gordon Case, chief operating officer of Open Gate and the Twin Hills project who has been awarded his Fellow of Chartered Accountants. Case was selected for his years of dedication and work in the energy and land development sectors and for his extensive community service leaderships. He has served as board member of Father Lacombe Nursing Homes for the Catholic Diocese, was founding member and director of Social Venture Partners, and various others and is currently chair of the board of Heritage Park.
I never cease to marvel at the professionalism found all over the grounds and facilities at Spruce Meadows. Last week’s 40th anniversary event was a class act I’m certain made the Southern family very proud. I also enjoy their sense of humour and had to smile at the Stop sign at Parking Lot No. 7 that reads ‘ Whoa.’