Bison Courtyard

Bison Courtyard is a commercial/residential development with underground parkade in Banff, Alberta.  It is a concrete reinforced base building with structural steel and glulam components, and wood framed walls and wood roof.  Two separate buildings, which appear as one due to connected bridges and breezeways, include spaces for retail, restaurants, offices, bakery, small hotel or hostel, a meditation room, service areas for the residential suites, and mechanical areas.  Ten residential units of varying sizes are located along the west side on second and third levels.

The building features stainless steel for aesthetics as well as longevity - it is designed to be a 100 year building.  There are water features, planters that mirror the various types of local vegetation (alpine, aspen grove, rock outcrops, etc.) and an abundance of wood and Rundle stone to blend with the scenery and meet Banff's development requirements.

This is an environmentally sustainable building, designed to a LEED Silver standard.  It includes re-used material from the demolished buildings, composting toilets in public areas, lumber from a sustainable forest, recycled gray water for irrigation and flush toilets, vegetated courtyards, high efficiency mechanical & electrical systems, and other "green" construction concepts.  The tenants are encouraged to be environmentally responsible by provisions for recycling, using alternate transportation methods, non-smoking policy, and other green practices.

It is designed to allow for the mountain views and the roof line reflects the mountain peaks in the background.  It is to be an educational and interpretive experience for visitors and townspeople, as well as a community gathering place.  The large open courtyard provides opportunity for human beings and nature to be as integrated as possible in an urban setting.

PCL-Maxam is construction manager and general contractor, having participated in the two-years-plus design and budgeting process.