Design.Talks

What design in Calgary is hiding in plain sight?

Design Week Calgary () is a festival by designers, for designers—celebrating the talent shaping our city. It invites the public to explore how design influences daily life, drives innovation, and fuels Calgary’s growth.

Our 2025 theme, In Plain Sight, draws attention to the overlooked elements of our daily lives—the subtle, often invisible ways design shapes how we move, connect, and experience the world around us.

At the heart of this year’s brand concept: the humble traffic cone.

⚫️ Seen everywhere, yet rarely noticed.
⚫️ A symbol of both progress and obstruction.
⚫️ Resilient—upright despite disruption.
⚫️ Playful—repurposed as a hat, a megaphone, or a beacon of attention.

Reimagined for Design Week Calgary, the traffic cone becomes a metaphor for unseen design: familiar, functional, and quietly powerful. It’s time to see what’s been right in front of us all along.

Design Week Calgary is happening from August 7-9, 2025! For more updates, check out our website through the link in our bio.

What’s a piece of design in Calgary that you think goes unnoticed—but deserves some love? Drop it in the comments.

Branding by

Populus (), Stantec (), and S2 Architecture () unveil the BMO Centre at Stampede Park!

Set as Western Canada’s largest convention centre, this visionary project spans an impressive 1 million square feet and is designed to accommodate up to 33,000 guests. The centrepiece—a stunning copper-coloured canopy—pays homage to Calgary’s rugged landscape and the vibrant spirit of the Stampede Festival. This architectural marvel not only enhances Stampede Park’s skyline but also integrates seamlessly with the urban fabric, embodying Calgary’s rich heritage.

Inside, visitors are greeted by a grand central atrium featuring a monumental black staircase and Canada’s largest indoor fireplace, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Calgary’s dynamic skyline. The design details, such as leather-wrapped doors inspired by Alberta Boot’s craftsmanship, reflect a deep connection to local traditions and culture.
What design element excites you most about the BMO Centre? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

🔗 Link in bio for more details.

Image source: Tom Harris ()

Calgary Design Appreciation: Great Plains Recreation Facility

Designed by MJMA (.ca) and completed in 2016, the Great Plains Recreation Facility is a key part of Calgary’s recreation facility program, aimed to provide accessible recreation opportunities and accommodate various sports at different levels of play. Featuring two multi-purpose rinks, the Great Plains Recreation facility brings together hockey, sledge hockey, ringette, and figure skating enthusiasts from across the city. 🏒⛸️

As a civic hub on the east edge of the city, the facility serves as a social and architectural catalyst for the surrounding industrial area. The project rethinks the typical arena plan by creating a central social space at the heart of the facility, fostering meaningful social engagement.

Anticipating Calgary’s future needs, it allows for a potential quad pad complex, with two arrival forecourts and a centralized lobby around an elevated restaurant. Additional amenities include spectator seating for 600 visitors, various rooms for studios, classrooms, and meetings, food and beverage services, a pro shop, change rooms, officials rooms, dryland training space, and administration offices.

Have you visited the Great Plains Recreation Facility? What’s your favourite activity to enjoy there? Share with us below! ⬇️

🔗 in bio for more details.

Image source: MJMA Architecture & Design (.ca)

“The connection between design and the public has always seemed too distant, but d.talks is working hard to change that. Through their public conversations, events, and initiatives, they’re working to bridge the gap between professionals and the community, making design accessible to everyone. That is no small feat!”

Charmaine Muzyka (.stott) is a volunteer with d.talks, having recently been one of the participants in the AI + Design: Friend or foe? debate. About a year ago, Charmaine was introduced to d.talks and instantly felt the urge to get involved. With a deep passion for design and architecture, she had been searching for a community of like-minded individuals, fellow creatives, and events that would inspire her. And she found exactly that!

“Volunteering with d.talks has given me the chance to help and contribute and connect with others to help to shape our city’s design dialogue. It’s more than just a platform for discussions, it’s a vibrant community where every voice matters and radical creativity is encouraged. I’m excited about everything that d.talks has in the works for the future!”

Volunteers like Charmaine are the lifeblood of d.talks, fueling our mission to make design accessible and bring the community into the conversation. Whether it’s creating programs, hosting events, or sparking discussions, they’re shaping a better future for Calgary. Want to be part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals? Consider volunteering with us at d.talks! Head over to the link in our bio for all the info on how to get involved and join our Discord!

And we need your help to grow this community! With your donation, you’ll help us expand our programs, reach more voices, and make an even bigger impact. The best part? Alberta’s matching funds mean your donation today goes twice as far!

Join us in empowering more voices in Calgary’s design community. Let’s build something amazing together.

Donate through the 🔗 in our bio!
https://fnd.us/Friendsgiving_2024

Our debate, AI + Design: Friend or Foe?, with for , is just three days away!

As we gear up, we thought we’d take a look at how AI has influenced the worlds of design and architecture. Ever wondered about AI’s impact on the creative process? Join us on a journey through some key milestones:

🖥️ 1960s-1980s: The 1960s saw the rise of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), letting designers work digitally. By the 1970s, expert systems like DENDRAL and MYCIN began assisting with complex decisions.

🏗️ 1980s-1990s: AI algorithms in the 1980s started generating varied design options. In the 1990s, AutoCAD improved efficiency with features that began to ‘think’ for designers.

📐 2000s: The 2000s introduced parametric design tools like Rhinoceros with Grasshopper, enabling dynamic and complex shape creation.

🤖 2010s: By the 2010s, AI analyzed big data for sustainable and efficient design choices, with Deep Learning even generating floor plans.

🏢 2020s: Today, AI is reshaping design by automating tasks, simulating advanced designs, and enhancing brainstorming, sustainability, and collaboration.

It’s impressive to see how AI is transforming creativity! Did you spot any milestones that were new to you? Share your thoughts in the comments ⬇️

📍 Where: Platform Calgary
🕔 When: Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

🔗 Link in bio to save your seat. See you there!

bit.ly/dtalks-design-ai-debate

Image sources: SphinxWorldBiz, xShaan Hurley, bimwise, Rhino3D, Jeremie Souteyrat and Parametric Architecture