Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 77 Moxy Banff P H OTO G R A P H Y BY D O U B L E S PAC E /CO U RT E S Y WO R K S H O P/A P D MOXY BANFF by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he newly re-developed Moxy Hotel in Banff is truly excep- tional. It's rare to encounter a project that pushes the boundaries of creativity to quite this extent. A highly collaborative team has managed a sig- nificant undertaking and modernized Banff's first commercial motor hotel, originally built in 1964, into a stun- ning tribute to both historical and playful architecture. Today, the hotel boasts bold mid- century and '70s-inspired 'groovy' design elements, meticulous attention to detail, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a stylish and comfortable haven for today's adventure traveller. "As an Albertan-owned company, we're thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Moxy Hotels, an indus- try-leading brand that brings both bold design and energetic atmosphere to the naturally beautiful and vibrant community of Banff," says Brooke Christianson, VP, Canalta Hotels. Creating something as unique as this required a team of highly cre- ative thinkers, ready to adapt to the surprises of renovating a building of this age. The team included the owners, Canalta Hotels; architects, Metafor; interior designer, Workshop/ APD; and general contractor, Shurway Contracting Ltd. "Before it became a Moxy Hotel, the Voyager Inn, or Voy, as it was known locally, was a precast building done in the Banff international style. It was tired, but it had this great history tying back to the jetset era of the 60s. The challenge was to come up with a design that would unify today's travel crowd with the historical one and make it feel like it's truly of the place of Banff," says Chris Sparrow, principal at Metafor. A notable enhancement to the exte- rior was the addition of a welcoming front porch, seamlessly integrat- ing the hotel with Banff's pedestrian environment. This architectural flourish not only enhances the build- ing's street presence but also fosters a more inviting dialogue between the interior spaces and the public realm. Maintaining the original flat-roofed, mid-century modern sil- houette was pivotal in preserving the hotel's distinctive character. Strategic updates included modernizing façade elements with brighter finishes and energy-efficient windows, new eleva- tors, and transforming the open-air stairwells into enjoyable exit stairs with fire-rated glass for transparency. Stepping into the Moxy Hotel's lobby, guests are instantly enveloped in its vibrant social hub. After a com- plete gutting, leaving only the original structure, the space was meticulously designed to foster a perpetual sense of activity and community. At its heart lies a striking centrepiece: a free- floating, pill-shaped bar that exudes energy from every angle. "We wanted the lobby to be more than just a check-in area; it's a dynamic space that evolves throughout the day," explains Andrew Kline, associate principal at Workshop/APD. "The inte- gration of ski gondolas for liquor storage and ski chairs hanging from beams resonates with the hotel's retro theme." The lobby seamlessly integrates with the pool area, enhancing the guest experience with indoor-outdoor connectivity. Floor-to-ceiling doors open onto a spacious patio, blurring the boundaries between interior com- fort and outdoor allure. Rob Aitken, PMP, of Shurway Contracting Ltd., describes the lobby as one of "the favourite things I have ever built. It's truly unique and stands out as something special. The walls and ceilings are adorned with wal- nut, a nod to Banff's lodge aesthetic. Exposed concrete tees in the ceiling, sandblasted to their original finish and sealed, showcase the space's struc- tural integrity. The main floor boasts polished concrete, formerly a mix of various finishes. Vibrant colours like burnt orange in the corridors and lobby, along with custom Danish car- pets, create a distinctive atmosphere. The lighting design, especially the inverted polar bear fixture above the check-in area and the ski room light- ing, add a touch of whimsy." Workshop/APD collaborated closely with the owners on all mate - rial choices. According to Kline, "The owner was deeply involved in every aspect, from selecting furniture to final finishes, ensuring everything aligned with the hotel's vision. Their commitment to creating a memora- ble guest experience guided many of our design decisions." Kline credits Christianson's expertise and creativ- ity for shaping the hotel's stylish and comfortable ambiance, emphasizing his pivotal role in the design process. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Moxy's bike, board, and ski room serves as both a functional haven and a social hub. Adjacent to the lobby, this space transcends mere storage, becom- ing a community focal point where guests gather to gear up for their next adventure. Designed with the Legacy Trail in mind, the room fosters cama- raderie among cyclists and skiers, perfectly reflecting Banff's active life- style. Notably, the lighting here creates an infinity mirror effect, adding an irresistibly Instagrammable touch, as highlighted by Aitken. Heading downstairs, the screening room provides a cozy retreat where guests can unwind with vinyl records or enjoy a classic film screening. Designed with '60s motifs blended seamlessly with contemporary com- forts, the décor creates an inviting atmosphere that resonates with the hotel's retro-chic vibe. Moving upstairs to the guest rooms, this blend of retro aesthetics and modern conveniences continues. The hotel features 109 rooms with smart layouts, from rooms set-up with toe-to-toe beds, double bunks, kitch- enettes, or lock-off suites that turn two rooms into one. "We transformed the second-floor ballroom above the lobby into guest rooms," explains Kline. "These rooms feature stun- ning skylights that are iconic from the exterior, resembling smokestacks." Beneath the now stylish façade of the Moxy Banff lies a sophisti- cated infrastructure engineered to optimize energy efficiency and opera- tional reliability. Every wire and pipe in the building is newly installed, supporting a state-of-the-art HVAC system with a new boiler plant and cooling towers that ensure consis- tent climate control year-round. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) further minimize environmen- tal impact by recycling indoor air. The renovation encompassed every aspect of the building, from visible interiors to hidden mechani- cal systems, explains Aitken: "Our team executed upgrades to wir- ing, plumbing, and a robust HVAC setup, overcoming challenges posed by the original structure to ensure seamless functionality." The outcome is truly remark- able – a testament to the collaborative effort of the entire team and the vision of the owner's group. "It was a rewarding journey from incep- tion to completion," reflects Kline. "Witnessing the transformation from initial concepts to the final result was incredibly fulfilling. Collaboration with the team, local community, and clients was pivotal in achiev- ing our goals. We are proud of what we've accomplished and eager for guests to enjoy the experience." A LOCATION 5550 Banff Avenue, Banff, Alberta OWNER /DEVELOPER Canalta Hotels ARCHITECT METAFOR INTERIOR DESIGN Workshop/APD GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Shurway Contracting Ltd. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT ISL Engineering and Land Services MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Remedy Engineering ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SMP Engineering TOTAL COST Undisclosed

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