We’re delighted to share that Calgary’s 5 Street S.W. Underpass Enhancement received a 2022 Prairie Design Award of Merit in Landscape Architecture.

Built on a collaborative design process between landscape architects, artists, planners, engineers, and the public, the underpass creates a safe and engaging pedestrian-oriented urban space for Calgarians moving between the communities of Beltline and Calgary’s core.

Recognizing design excellence since 2000, The Prairie Design Awards occurs every two years where The Alberta Association of Architects, The Saskatchewan Association of Architects, and the Manitoba Association of Architects come together to celebrate firms and their projects setting new standards of innovation and skill in architecture and interior design.

Based on the comments of the jury, they highlight how the linear park increases safety and aesthetic appeal as it creates an artistic interpretation of glacial geomorphic esker forms and colours reminiscent of lake waters along the path serving as guards rails managing snow and stormwater from entering the course. The underpass is also surrounded by native vegetation which provides seasonal variation and ecological benefits.

Overall, the project is described as “an animated and rich place for its communities.”

Congratulations to all those involved in achieving this remarkable award.