Calgary Board of Education (CBE) Buildings Site

“I remember working on my final master’s design project on the Calgary Board of Education site, so I spent a lot of time researching its history and really getting to know it. Even now, it’s still there, sitting unoccupied, which makes you notice it even more. What stands out to me is how the building doesn’t take up the entire block; it leaves space around it, which creates a kind of public realm rather than just a single object. There are moments where the site opens up, and it feels like more than just a building. I also really value its brutalist architecture. It feels important to preserve that kind of history in the city, especially when so many buildings are demolished and replaced. It has a strong presence and identity, and I think that’s something worth keeping.” (Adapted from interview material. Edited for clarity while preserving the participant’s voice)