YWCA Calgary

"I experience the YWCA building in Inglewood as a space that really shows what happens when you design with the people who actually use it. The first architectural concepts came forward, and then instead of just moving ahead, they brought them to the clients. And what happened was that the clients almost completely reworked the design. It shifted in a big way. What you see now is largely that client-driven design, and it works. When you walk into the building, it feels calm. That really stands out, especially compared to other shelters, which can feel very institutional. Things like lighting, where the windows are, how the spaces connect, and even how people move through the building, all of that changed once the people using the space had input. It affects how long people stay, how comfortable they feel, and how the space supports them. For me, it shows that design is not just about what looks good. It is about how people experience the space, and when you involve them directly, the result can be completely different and much better." (Adapted from interview material. Edited for clarity while preserving the participant’s voice.)