Exterior photo, courtesy of Michael Wach .
The Calgary Stampede’s Sam Centre opened to the public on May 29th, featuring artifacts and exhibits showcasing monumental years of Stampede history. Entuitive provided structural engineering and building envelope services on the 30,000 sq. ft. building, which was designed with a barn-like feel to reflect historic prairie architecture.
In our two-part feature, we first sat down with Senior Associate Heather Elliot and Building Envelope Specialist Barilelo Nghana, to talk about the unique building envelope services our team provided on this project.
Project team photo, featuring Senior Associates Heather Elliot and Nick Berci.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Heather and Barilelo. Can you tell us more about the project?
Heather: Of course, thanks for having us. Entuitive provided building envelope and structural engineering consulting for the Sam Centre. Working with the architect, Diamond Schmitt, and associate architect, FAAS, the Centre is an exciting museum style space that houses a collection of Stampede-related items, showcasing and preserving Western heritage. It is the final project in the Calgary Stampede Youth Campus, a large development north of the Stampede grounds.
It was exciting getting the project to completion before the Calgary Stampede kicked off in July. The team collaborated well together, and we were well on schedule with the grand opening in May.
Keeping the project on schedule must’ve been a challenge, indeed. What were some of the other challenges and how did the team solve them?
Heather: From the building envelope side, one of the difficulties we faced had to do with the line of the air and vapour barrier. Basically, there is an external mechanical space, but it's cleverly concealed below a roof section. Unlike typical buildings with flat roofs and visible units on top, which aren't very attractive, the Sam Centre has hidden most of that equipment. They are tucked away in a recessed area that is outside the main building envelope in terms of the air and vapour barrier but is fully enclosed by the building’s roof and wall screen/cladding.
When you look at the building from a distance, it appears to be a single structure with a continuous roof. Ensuring that there is consistent airflow, air and vapour barrier continuity, and insulation in this complex setup was probably the most challenging areas for detailing.
Barilelo: The raised roof areas were also a challenge, specifically at the transition from the wall to the roof. There were challenges regarding the air barrier continuity in those sections where the roof deck was installed in some cases parallel or perpendicular to the walls. As such, we had to determine the solution on-site and ensure the implementation was seamless at that location. We encountered several areas where we needed to verify the continuity of the air and vapour barriers. This continuity challenge was one of the most difficult aspects of the project.
Construction photo from the thermal scan in the evening.
The roof sounds very unique. Can you elaborate further?
Heather: Certainly, the roof is not a simple shape. There are sections called the “lanterns”, where a section is raised above the main roof line and surrounded by glazing that allows light into the interior. The concept was to create a “light box” or lantern effect, which adds a unique aesthetic to the structure. However, integrating this feature proved more complex than it would have been with a single, large roof area. When viewed, the roof design, combined with the walls featuring terra cotta cladding, clearly evokes the imagery of a barn, complete with a bright red wall colour.
What was your favourite part of the project?
Barilelo: To me, the people are always the highlight. It’s great collaborating and building relationships with the project team, especially working with the same crew on a few different projects. I especially enjoy the challenging conversations. For example, there were some leaks during construction from the roof before it was completely buttoned up. Watching everyone—us, the owners, the contractor, the architect—come together at the table, brainstorming and collaborating to find a solution, was really satisfying. It’s those kinds of moments that make these projects fulfilling for me.
I also learned the importance of sensitivity in design, particularly regarding how each room must be treated individually. We had to ensure the spaces that house the museum’s collections had their own humidity control, and also isolate each with its own vapour barrier. The architect was very particular about the continuity of these elements. Understanding the specific building use and how it affects building envelope detailing was an interesting part of the project for me.
Interior photo featuring Arthur's Hall and Maisie, courtesy of Michael Wach .
Heather: I personally enjoyed seeing the cladding because it features a very deep wall with thick insulation and robust terra cotta cladding. It was great to see a building opt for a high-performance cladding system, especially with that “Calgary Stampede red” color. The installation was fascinating to observe; they were meticulous from an architectural perspective, ensuring that all the weep holes lined up perfectly with the joints. During our thermography scan, it was impressive to see how everything was aligned so precisely, even at night. The architectural team was really smart about it and took the time to make it look great from a cladding perspective.
On a personal note, I’m quite enthusiastic about the youth campus that the building supports. As someone who was part of organizations like the Young Canadians and Stampede Showband when I was younger, it’s exciting to see these groups now have their own standalone campus. Although the SAM Centre itself doesn’t provide space for these youth organizations, it serves as the final piece of the plaza, connecting everything together. It’s great to see the campus completed.
Thank you so much, Barilelo and Heather for talking to us about this important project! To learn more about the project, reach out to Heather.