Calgary: The Importance Of A Welcoming Entrance
Whenever travelling, I am always reminded of the importance of entrances and their role in navigating a city. A well-designed entrance tells you immediately where the entry to the building is and it invites you to step inside - or at least slow down and admire the building, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist and yes even as a driver.
Back in February, I went to watch a neighbour boy play hockey at Calgary’s Great Plains Recreation Centre. As soon as I got out of the car and looked towards the building, I was gobsmacked by how welcoming the entrance was from the parking lot.
As I walked up to it, I was even more impressed with its sculptural qualities. The glowing orange colour was warming even in the middle of winter. And the entrance, while not grand, was a large open space that allow several families, all hauling big hockey equipment bags to enter and exit. No dark narrow hallway that is too often the case here!
And as I got closer two large sliding doors automatically opened, no need to manually open or push a button to enter! Once inside, there were no stairs, no ramps - the entire building is a ground level. I am thinking this should be a requirement of all public buildings.
Kudos to Calgary’s MTA Urban Design Architecture Interior Design – they got it right on this building!
What makes a great entrance?
I have often wondered why more buildings can’t be built so the entrance is at ground level. Too often I have almost tripped and/have seen mothers with strollers struggle to negotiate a couple of steps and then open a heavy door to get into a building. Is it obvious from a distance? Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at a building and then trying to figure out where the entrance is.
Is it accessible for everyone?
Is it functional? Is the entrance large enough to handle the traffic flow of the building? Do the doors open easily? Is there a meeting place at the entrance? Perhaps a bench or two? Are the windows transparent next to the door so you can easily see inside?
Is it inviting? I love an entrance that is welcoming, one that makes you feel like they want to you come inside. This is particularly true for street retail, restaurants and cafes.
Is it memorable?
When back home, I immediately Tweeted out that I thought the Great Plains Recreation Centre had the best entrance in the city. After a bit of back and forth on Twitter about the importance of entrances and examples of other good Calgary entrances, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the other candidates for best entrances in Calgary.
Here are some candidates for Calgary’s best entrances:
The Alberta Children’s Hospital entrance with its bright colours and lego like design must be very attractive to children, as well as adults like me.
The 10th Avenue SW entrance to the City Centre Parkade has been enhance with this colourful mural by Ankh One.
This is the entrance to the same parkade from 9th Avenue SW side, with +15 bridge linking two office buildings.
This is the entrance to a new affordable housing project by HomeSpace in Downtown Calgary. Love not only the warm colours but the transparency of the glass.
When walking in residential neighbourhoods, I am always on the lookout for fun doors. The matching watering can makes this one a winner.
Art & Architectural Entrances
The futuristic entrance to the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre on the SAIT campus has to be contender for the most unique entrance to a building in Canada.
The Bow office tower has intriguing entrance with the sculpture Wonderland by Jaume Plensa guarding it.
Many downtown office buildings have a public artwork at their entrance. This is piece is called Nova Gate, by Kosso Eloul. FYI The building was originally the home of the NOVA corporation.
The entrance to the National Music Centre is perhaps the most dramatic in Calgary.
Masters Gallery on 4th St. SW has an impressive entrance with Joe Faffard’s “Van Gogh Observes” sculpture and the window gallery flanking each side of the door.
The redesign of a mid-century medical office building into the University of Calgary’s Downtown Campus resulted in creating a contemporary corner entrance.
Heritage Building Entrances
It doesn’t get much nicer than this! The entrance of the Memorial Park Library is simple outstanding in the summer.
The historic Collegiate Institute building was completed in 1908 and has separate entrance for BOYS and GIRLS.
Calgary is home to several wonderful early 20th century sandstone schools with proud entrances like the McDougall School in downtown Calgary.
The entrance to Heritage Hall on the SAIT campus is impressive.
On the other side of the courtyard from Heritage Hall is this futuristic glass entrance to SAIT’s underground parkade. The contrast between the old and new is very dramatic.
Calgary’s downtown Hudsons Bay department store has a welcoming colonnade as its street entrance from Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall.
The Jack Singer Concert Hall’s massive Ionic columns makes for a grand entrance.
Neighbourhood Entrances
Many of Calgary’s new communities have some sort of welcoming entrance feature. SETON (aka southeast town) has a very fun and futuristic entrance to this new community on the southeast edge of the city.
Last Word
No doubt I have missed several good entrances in Calgary. Please feel free to send me a photo of your favourite entrance(s) - be it/they in Calgary or elsewhere and I will add them to this blog.
If you like this blog, you will like these links:
Calgary Developers Love Public Art