Donor Recognition Landscape

Calgary Humane Society

Overview

In 2023, the Calgary Humane Society significantly renovated both its interior and exterior spaces. To enhance the landscape at the building's entrance, Exhibit Studio was commissioned to design and develop captivating monuments honouring the organization's dedicated donors.

Discipline

Landscape | Environmental Design

Year

2023

[data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { display: none; } @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { [data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { position: absolute; z-index: -100; display: inline-block; height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: cover; } }

Design approach

We drew inspiration from the vertical slat pattern visible around
the building's exterior and incorporated this design element by progressively adding more slats to larger monuments, symbolizing the levels of donor contributions. The goal was to create visual consistency upon entering by utilizing three primary materials
visible on the building's exterior.

Calgary Humane Society exterior material. (Left to right) alumanate strips, treated cedar, and aluminum panel

Exploring forms

We studied the building's primary design elements, like its repeating slat patterns and curved lines. As concepts evolved, we simplified shapes & added more muted colors to align with the building's materials, ensuring cohesion with the surroundings and enhancing the space's visual identity.

Refinements

The focus shifted towards simple rectangular shapes layered in vertical patterns, incorporating a blend of contrasting materials: soft cedar wood
and brushed aluminum. The design extended to a second introductory sign positioned to greet visitors upon arrival.

Fabrication

All components were produced on our
in-house CNC & bending press. Units were fabricated by sandwiching cedar slats and spacer blocks together, securing bent aluminum panels atop the assembly, and reinforcing them with tamper proof screws for stability and durability. Weather-proof vinyl was installed on each unit; flexibility for future updates.

Flow

The monuments were laid out in a more randomized fashion, embracing a more organic and nonlinear arrangement that encouraged visitors to explore the landscape at their own
pace and engage with the monuments intuitively.