We are delighted to share that DIALOG has been shortlisted in two categories at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2023.
WAF selected two DIALOG projects as finalists: Glenbow Revitalization in the ‘Future Projects – Culture’ category, and the University of Calgary – MacKimmie Tower and Hunter Student Commons in the ‘Completed Buildings – Higher Education and Research’ category.
Now in its 16th year, the World Architecture Festival represents the world’s largest international architectural and live judged awards event dedicated to celebrating and sharing the most inspiring architectural projects from across the globe. Garnering entries from more than 70 countries each year, the festival showcases the most innovative and groundbreaking designs from across 33 categories ranging from residential and cultural, to health and creative reuse.
DIALOG, as a finalist among the 495 shortlisted projects this year, will pitch their work to a 140-person judging panel consisting of industry experts, renowned architects, and their peers at the Festival’s live-judged awards program at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from November 29 to December 1, 2023. DIALOG Partner and architect, Robert Claiborne, will have the honour of presenting both of DIALOG’s shortlisted projects.
About the Projects:
Image: Tango Studio
Future Projects – Culture | Glenbow Revitalization
Reimagining Glenbow is an opportunity to rethink the model of a public art gallery and how to probe many of the important cultural questions of our time. The building’s new skin will appear much lighter, at times diaphanous, creating porosity and views of the city of Calgary. The new entry faces due east, welcoming the morning sun, and invites curiosity, activity, and exploration. The building’s new theatre will become a space of gathering, discourse, and education. On the public roof terrace, visitors can take in views of the city, while on the ground, an existing loading dock becomes an opportunity for special events or art interventions.
The architects chose to retain and reveal the robust concrete structure, preventing the production of 56,000 tons of new carbon and keeping 38,000 tons of concrete out of the landfill. The new museum design achieves more than just an energy-efficient building; it facilitates inclusion, accessibility, and health for individuals, families, and communities.
Image: Joel Klassen
Completed Buildings – Higher Education and Research | The University of Calgary – MacKimmie Tower
Designed to be a high-performance net-zero carbon building, the MacKimmie Complex at the University of Calgary comprises a fully renovated tower and block and a new link that connects the two buildings by an atrium, surrounded by a redesigned outdoor gathering space to enhance learning spaces, address deferred maintenance, accommodate growth, and strengthen the heart of the campus.
The design was guided by the University of Calgary’s Eyes High Strategy, seeking to establish the university as a leading Canadian research hub and achieve a net-zero campus by 2050. This vision shaped the project, inspiring the use of integrated building performance, visible and tactile innovations, and a reimagined central campus hub. The renewal translated into a focused design effort to aggressively employ the original tenets of sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Congratulations to all the project teams shortlisted!
About World Architecture Festival (WAF)
World Architecture Festival 2023 will take place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 29 November to 1 December. The architecture community will experience the live presentations of hundreds of renowned architects and up-and-coming designers from across the globe, hearing critics from a jury of industry experts. In addition to the awards competition, there will be keynote talks, a product exhibition, and networking opportunities, to share knowledge and learn from each other.