Location
  • Calgary, AB
Client
  • Read Jones Christofferson & Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd.
Completion
2017
Size
  • 1,061 sq m
  • 11,420 sq ft
Collaborators
  • Cadillac Fairview Corporation
  • RJC Engineers
DIALOG Services
  • Architecture
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Crossing one of the busiest intersections outside of the downtown core, the Chinook Pedestrian Bridge provides pedestrians with a much safer Macleod Trail crossing. The bridge was designed through a rigorous process using new and old technologies. Early hand sketches were used to decide the scope and direction the bridge would take. Later, 3D modelling, combined with the site plan, helped decide the final form. The Chinook Pedestrian Bridge is an important component of an attractive, walkable and complete urban corridor, providing an increased focus of travel by foot, bicycle and transit.

01/08
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass night 02
Spanning Macleod Trail The bridge gives pedestrians a safer Macleod Trail crossing providing a protected, direct, and uninterrupted connection between the Chinook Centre mall and the Chinook Centre LRT station.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass main image night v2
Designed in three parts The Chinook Centre Pedestrian Bridge has been designed as three distinct objects; the east and west pavilions, and the bridge structure.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass East Pavillion
East Pavilion The larger East Pavilion acts as the main entrance for pedestrians arriving west on 61st Ave and from the east side of Macleod Trail.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass West Pavillion
West Pavilion The smaller West Pavilion allows access from the west side of Macleod Trail or from the Chinook Centre parking lot.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass Wayfinding
Built-in wayfinding The two pavilions clearly signify the entrance to the bridge, encouraging use and creating an iconic gateway over Macleod Trail.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass glazing 01
Reducing energy demand The south face of the bridge span uses different glazing, a highly tinted low-e glazing to reduce solar gain.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass Glazing 02
Energy efficient design The diagonal grid pattern was designed with shading in mind, maximizing transparency where possible and opacity where necessary.
Chinook Centre Pedestrian Overpass Escalators
Minimizing energy demands Significant thought was put into reducing the size of the pavilions while meeting functional and circulation requirements.

Meet The Team

"You have now taken what is the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and made it work much, much better for pedestrians."
Brian Pincott, Calgary City Councillor
chinook pedestrian bridge sketch 2

Sketches and models

An early sketch shows the bridge as a curved structure. The bridge's final form is straight.
chinook pedestrian bridge process sketch 1

Design Process 01

An earky sketch envisions the bridge as a curved structure spanning Macleod Trail.

chinook pedestrian bridge process sketch 2

Design Process 02

Another early sketch depicts a straighter bridge, but still displaying curved characteristics.

chinook pedestrian bridge process render east pavillion

Design Process 03

Once a final design was reached, a render was made of the East Pavilion.

chinook pedestrian bridge process render west pavillion

Design Process 04

A similar process depicts the West Pavilion.

Chinook Models v2

Design Process 05

A 3D printed model shows the bridge's final form.

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