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Located on the RiverWalk in Calgary, the M2 mixed-use building, positioned between the historic Simmons Mattress Factory and the new pedestrian bridge to St. Patrick’s Island, hosts a distinctive lot shape that creates unique conditions on each side with differing facades, with no rear wall.
The project for the client, XYC Design + Development, is designed by the New York City-based architect, nArchitects, winner 2023 National Design Award in Architecture from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The local architect, Riddell Kurczaba, served as the architect of record.
Despite its modest size, spanning 2,137 m2 (23,000 sf) only, M2 achieves a visible presence and appears to be an essential part of the Bow River waterfront, near the core commercial area of downtown in East Village.
To meet stringent zoning requirements limiting shadow intrusion on the RiverWalk, the building’s northern face steps back at each level, forming a cascading series of roof terraces for each tenant. These terraces effectively extend the public space of the promenade, offering expansive river views through large curtain wall windows. Meanwhile, the building’s southern facade provides views of the city and maximizes natural light within its open interior spaces.
In addition, the building’s southern facade accommodates entrances for the restaurant, a bike shop, offices, and residences, along with a loading dock and the building’s core.
To enliven potentially opaque back-of-house areas, triangular windows are incorporated into the building’s scissor stairs. A common facade feature however remains the aluminum panels and fenestration which consolidate the building’s design.
By engaging with the street and activating public areas, the building becomes a dynamic focal point for pedestrian activity in a once-neglected neighbourhood.
