Populous, Stantec and S2 Architecture teamed up to expand a convention centre with a sweeping copper-coloured canopy in Calgary, Alberta.
Unveiled in June 2024, the BMO Centre at Stampede Park is the largest convention centre in western Canada with an occupancy of 33,000.
Populous, Stantec and S2 Architecture collaborated on the BMO Centre at Stampede Park
A collaboration between global design studios Populous and Stantec; and Canadian studio S2 Architecture, the 565,000-square-foot (52,490 square metres) expansion brings the convention center to 1 million square feet (92,900 square metres).
Originally known as the Calgary Stampede Roundup Centre, the building opened in 1981. The 150,000-square-foot (13,935 square metres) design by Vancouver-based Chandler Kennedy Architectural Group underwent expansions in 2009 and 2020 before its demolition for the latest renovation. The focal point of the design is a copper-coloured, composite metal panel facade and roofline
The governments of Canada and Alberta, as well as the City of Calgary, funded the $500 million expansion.
"One of our core design drivers for the project was Stampede 365, which challenged the design team to create a solution that embodies the energy and emotions of the 10-day Stampede Festival, also known as 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'," Michael Lockwood, a senior principal at Populous, told Dezeen, referencing the popular annual rodeo scheduled for July.
Various meeting spaces were included in th...