TELUS Spark: The New Science Centre + Creative Kids Museum

Client The Calgary Science Centre & Creative Kids Museum Society
Location Calgary | Alberta | Canada

TELUS Spark: The New Science Centre is a new science centre located on a 15-acre site in the Nose Creek Valley, north of the Calgary Zoo. The 130,000 ft² centre is Canada’s first new science centre in more than a decade and features four permanent exhibition galleries; the Creative Kids Museum, a Learning and Leadership Centre, a touring exhibition gallery, a Discovery Dome Theatre, and an outdoor science-based exhibit park. 

O2 was responsible for all site development including civil engineering and landscape architecture. The design includes the outdoor park, a stormwater collection and retention system, parking and drop-off plaza areas, and provision of all utility servicing. O2 has based the integrated design upon the key concepts of sustainability, education, and creativity. The design incorporates outdoor learning spaces set within sculptural landforms. Sustainable landscape principles are prevalent in the stormwater management approach and the use of native and climate-adapted vegetation. The project is seeking LEED Gold certification.