Meadow Cliff (Meadow)

Sprucecliff, Calgary, Alberta, 1982
(With J Long, R Sieniuc, E deRidder, RSordi, H Sonntag)

"Be like the SUN
and MEADOW
which are not in the least concerned
about the coming winter"
 ~ George Bernard Shaw

Meadow Cliff is a master concept plan for the redevelopment of an older, CMHC, 23 acre  site of rental walk-up apartment blocks.  The zoning permits 1,392  units. The site is on a elevated plateau of land on the edge of the Bow River Valley—overlooking Calgary's Shaganappi Point Golf Course, the Downtown Core, and the North Hill. 

The concept plan recognizes the constraints and opportunities of this dramatic site and centres around an existing meadow. The "Meadow" is retained as an essential visual open space and recreational amenity.  It has a water course for summer and winter use, picnic areas, gathering places, open play spaces, and supportive landscaping. It is the focal point of the re-development, and an attractive amenity area to be used by residents of Meadow Cliff and the greater Sprucecliff community.

Placing point towers on the escarpment edge frees the land for visual and public access to the park land beyond. The Master Concept Plan advocates for  a variety of dwelling types and a diverse range of building heights.

Sun, views, open spaces, safe street environments, landscaping and architectural forms are all priority design factors.