City of Calgary Water Centre

The City of Calgary Water Centre is a modern administrative building featuring a curved steel structure and blue-green exterior walls designed to evoke water movement. The narrow building layout allows daylight to reach nearly all interior spaces, significantly reducing energy needs.

The facility opened in 2008 on land that previously held a fur business and a transit depot located near the Calgary Stampede grounds. The redevelopment of this former industrial site represented a major step in revitalizing that part of the city.

The building brings together employees from different roles who share water management responsibilities for the city. The layout encourages people from desk jobs and field work to interact throughout the day.

The building employs rainwater harvesting and green roof features to reduce water waste, and is primarily occupied during standard working hours. Visitors should know this is an active workplace and public access may be limited.

The building incorporates water-saving systems that reduce consumption far below typical building standards through rainwater capture and specialized green roof design. This approach makes it a working example of how municipal facilities can demonstrate environmental responsibility.