12/21/2022
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of our Specialty division. And the countdown of our top 12 projects fittingly ends where it all began, in Calgary, Alberta.
Note to the reader: The write-up below is from the original posting of the project, written in 2006. A few notes were added to reflect the current company and product names.
Cohos Evamy's (now DIALOG) renovation of Calgary International Airport improved not only the operations but also the environment of this leading transportation hub, which serves the booming province of Alberta, Canada. Working with NBBJ Design, the architectural team expanded and widened the D concourse to add passenger facilities and create better connections among the airport's three levels. Along the way, they also helped the facility become Canada's first airport certified by Go Green®, a program that "heightens environmental stewardship and encourages sound environmental practices."
The certification recognizes a set of "environmental best practices" established by BOMA (Building Owners and Managers) Canada. For example, the airport had to ensure a superior level of Indoor Air Quality, including limiting VOC off-gassing from interior finishes such as carpeting, furnishings, and window coverings.
The windows throughout feature Nysan (now Architectural Window Coverings) internal roller shades with SuperTwill 300 (Mermet USA's 9803™) fabrics, which are GreenGuard® certified for low emissions. These "fully intelligent" shades are tied directly into the building management system. The shades track the angle of the sun and automatically adjust for desired comfort and light quality. Compact, quiet, and high torque lifting systems choreograph the raising and lowering of the large banks of shades along the windowed facade. Passengers waiting at the gates do so in comfort, shielded from the glare and heat of the sun.
"The building is extremely functional, has the aesthetic expression that is unique and specific to the region, and is recognized around the world as an exceptional airport," say the architects. Successfully blending those elements, plus achieving Go Green Certification, are significant achievements for an airport that handles millions of passengers annually (11.3 million in 2006).