School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

A field session in Kananaskis supported our Master of Architecture students in developing the observational skills needed for the Montane Warming Hut Design Contest.

Rather than focusing on a specific structure, this visit emphasized understanding the broader landscape - how terrain shifts, how spaces are experienced over time, and how environmental conditions influence design decisions.

This type of hands-on learning plays a critical role in shaping architectural thinking at its earliest stages. Before form is resolved, students must be able to interpret site conditions, recognize constraints, and identify opportunities that emerge directly from the land itself.

A special moment from our BDCI final reviews this past April.

Shared with us by Barry Wylant, this photo captures a rare full-circle connection within SAPL.

Years ago, Barry taught Magnus Hanton (MEDes (ID), 2005). This spring, he returned as a critic for BDCI final reviews - where Magnus’ son, Merric Hanton, is now a student in the program.

It’s a meaningful reminder that design education is not a single moment in time, but part of a larger, ongoing community shaped across generations.

For their work on the Montane Warming Hut Design Contest, our Master of Architecture students travelled to Fernie, B.C. to engage directly with the existing Montane Hut and its surrounding landscape.

The visit began with a hike from the Montane Trailhead, allowing students to understand the site not as an isolated point, but as a sequence of movement, terrain, and changing perspective. By the time they reached the hut, they had already begun to read the landscape in relation to the structure.

On-site discussions extended this learning further, giving students the opportunity to critically assess how the hut responds to its context - through material choices, construction logic, and spatial organization. Experiences like this reinforce that successful design in remote environments depends on a close, physical understanding of place.

SAPL Convocation 2026 celebrated an outstanding group of graduates recognized for excellence in design, research, leadership, and contribution to their fields.

Keegan Muth (Master of Architecture) received both the SAPL Gold Medal and RAIC Medal, with additional recognition on the RAIC Honour Roll alongside Bryce Meintzer, Nolan Miranda, and Bronwen Atkins.

Across programs, Matt Comfort (APPI) and Mehar Imran (CIP) were recognized in the Master of Planning program; Adhara Hernandez (LACF), Stephen McCausland (LAF Olmsted Scholar nominee), and Bryan Tan (CELA Fountain Scholar) in the Master of Landscape Architecture program; and Genny de Soto (ARCC), Christine Liang (Alpha Rho Chi), Bryce Meintzer (AIA), and Nolan Miranda (AAA) in the Master of Architecture program.

Nolan Miranda also received the Kurtis Nishiyama Memorial Award, which honours leadership and a commitment to promoting inclusivity in architecture.

We also thank our award partners and presenters from the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) and the Kurtis Nishiyama Memorial Award for joining us in recognizing our graduates.

Congratulations to all award recipients.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the DDes Spring Symposium at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.

As part of the Doctor of Design program’s ongoing research symposia, current students presented their work through thesis defences, candidacy exams, and research presentations—engaging in thoughtful dialogue and critique.

Grounded in professional practice, the DDes enables mid-career design professionals to advance innovation with real-world impact through applied research.

The program also included a keynote by Dr. Peter Hayward Jones, along with a building tour led by Dean John Brown.

We are grateful to all students, guests, and contributors who took part.

Three students from the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape presented their research at the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (SSAC) 2026 Conference in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Kale Lazarick (BDCI ’28), Jordan Peterson (BDCI ’28), and Grayson Moore (BDCI ’27) presented work completed through the Undergraduate Research Summer Studentship (URSS) program under the supervision of Professor Alberto de Salvatierra.

Their projects explore critical aspects of downtown Calgary. Kale’s research examines the relationship between sidewalk infrastructure conditions, accessibility, and economic activity. Jordan’s work studies patterns of movement and engagement in public space, establishing a baseline understanding of activity in Century Gardens prior to the emergence of a university-oriented neighbourhood. Grayson’s research analyzes how SAPL’s downtown relocation may contribute to revitalization, considering environmental, financial, and social impacts through interviews and surveys with businesses and students.

Together, these projects reflect SAPL’s commitment to research that informs urban change through collaboration with civic and institutional partners, including the City of Calgary, the Calgary Downtown Association, and the University of Calgary.

Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 are now open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

These opportunities span a range of courses, with appointment numbers dependent on enrolment.
Applicants must follow all guidelines. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Deadline: 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Email [email protected] to apply!

Yesterday was convocation for our SAPL graduates 🥳🎓

The day started with familiar traditions (like our staircase photo!) and built toward the excitement of watching students cross the stage. There was a real sense of momentum throughout the day, knowing what it took to get to that moment.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with you!

These moments have become part of the SAPL experience.

Year after year, graduating students gather for the stairwell photo - one final moment together that captures the energy, pride, and sense of accomplishment at the end of their journey 🎓

These throwback photos reflect that shared tradition across so many graduating classes.

Today, that moment continues in our new downtown campus, connecting past and present in a powerful way.

Tomorrow, they cross the stage ✨ Congratulations to our 2026 graduates!