Eidos 30

WOW...30 YEARS! A LOT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS;

In 1985, Brian Mulroney was our Prime Minister; Don Getty replaced Peter Lougheed as Alberta Premier; Microsoft released their first version of Windows, while Steve Jobs left Apple and started Pixar; Coca Cola introduced “New Coke” – what a mistake; unbelievably “Careless Whisper” was the number one Billboard hit; Back to the Future cleaned up at the box office – “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”; (unbelievably…again) the Oilers won the Stanley Cup and Wayne the MVP; and a hole was discovered in the earths ozone layer.

I hope you enjoy flipping through the pages of our 30 Year retrospective as much as we enjoyed going back and selecting from the many projects we have completed. Here is to the next 30 Years….cheers!

EIDOS 30 30 MILESTON

ES IN 30 YEARS THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR LEGACY

EIDOS Consultants Incorporated 600 Empire Building 10080 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 1V9 Tel: 780.428.5050 www.eidosconsultants.com

304397 Eidos Cover.indd 1 2015-01-23 12:08 PM


30 MILESTONES IN 30 YEARS THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR LEGACY30 MILESTONES IN 30 YEARS THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR LEGACY


SHAPING LANDSCAPES FOR A GREENER FUTURE.

EIDOS Consultants Incorporated is 30 years old! This book celebrates our thirty-year achievement by presenting 30 landmarks in our corporate history.The firm began in 1985 in response to several major commissions acquired by the precedent firm of Marie Kipen Landscape Architect Ltd. (est. 1979). The founding partners, Marie Kipen and Robert Gibbs agreed on a vision for a new firm, which has grown and matured under the current leadership of David Brown, Stefan Johansson and Robert Gibbs. EIDOS believes in offering our clients engaging landscape concepts that embrace leading societal values. At the same time EIDOS provides a technically sound consulting service that draws on the very best of our disciplinary knowledge. Our conduct is characterized by integrity and service. Finally, EIDOS believes in leaving legacies-- the built landscapes, the profession of Landscape Architecture and EIDOS itself as a unique consulting endeavor.

PROJECTS

Urban Oasis 2

A Serene Sense of Place 14

All Aboard 36

A Fresh Start 48

A Place for Wildlife, A Place for People 8

Building Communities 20

Shaping Alberta’s National Parks 4

Living Refined 16

Higher Learning 10

Council in Session 22

Cultivate Life 6

Everything has a Story to Tell 18

Commercial Success 12

Bridging the Gap 24

Get Physical 30Soaring to New Heights 26

Capital Region Corridor32

Working Landscapes 28

River Landing 34

Northern Exposure 42

Making Waves 38

Urban Revitalization 44

Stockyard Revival 40

For the Fun of It 46

2 4 5 61 3

History in the Making 54

Community Renaissance 50

Polar Extremes 56Mainstreet Makeover 52

For a Rainy Day 58 After the Wildfire 60

2119 20 21 22 23 24

15 16 1813 14 17

25 26 27 28 29 30

7 8 9 10 11 12

EIDOS 30 | Celebrating 30 Years1

DAVID BROWN, PRINCIPAL

“AS A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, I AM ABLE TO TAKE MY PASSION FOR NATURE AND ART COMPOSE THESE ELEMENTS WITH THE LANDSCAPE SO THAT MY CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF LIVING SPACES.”David Brown has over 25 years of experience in landscape architecture which has entailed work in both Ontario and Alberta. David has undertaken a broad range of planning, design and implementation assignments as a professional landscape architect, in both the public and private sector. The opportunity of working in both the public and private sector has provided David with working knowledge of various facets of each sector.

STEFAN JOHANSSON, PRINCIPAL

“THERE IS A WAY THAT NATURE SPEAKS, AND THAT LANDSCAPES SPEAK. MOST OF THE TIME WE ARE SIMPLY NOT PATIENT ENOUGH TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WHOLE STORY.” Beyond his enduring connections with the land and his +20 years of landscape architectural experience, Stefan has a deep familiarity with studio arts, urbanism and sustainable design and credits this varied background with his desire to synthesize conceptual ideas with practical solutions by looking for the underlying structure in the land itself. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the profession, from the creative development process, directing consultant and client teams, project management and professional business leadership. Stefan is active in the historic preservation industry and serves on the NAIT Advisory Board.

PRINCIPALSROBERT GIBBS, PRINCIPAL

“EVERYTHING WE DO IS A CONVERSATION WITH NATURE.”Robert is an award-winning landscape architect, with over 35 years of experience. In 1985 he founded EIDOS Consultants Incorporated. Bob’s practice has spanned a range of scales and type of assignments; his love is the environmental side of the profession, creating built landscapes that integrate and juxtapose nature and human beings. Bob is an active volunteer for his profession, steering the process of regulating the profession of Landscape Architecture in the Province of Alberta. Bob is very active on volunteer boards and steering committees related to watershed management.

MARIE KIPEN, RETIRED PRINCIPALMarie was principal of the firm from 1985 - 1996. During that time the firm was called Kipen and Gibbs Landscape Architects Ltd. (same legal entity as current firm). Marie handled many major assignments including Mooskoseepi Urban Park and Broadmoor Urban Park.

30 Milestones In 30 Years That Have Shaped Our Legacy2

The City of Grande Prairie AB received a significant Urban Parks Provincial Grant in the early 1980’s to develop a comprehensive system of parks and trails along Bear Creek and Crystal Lake. The City turned to a small upstart firm of landscape architects led by Marie Kipen; The park was initiated under Marie’s own firm and then completed by the current firm. To this day, EIDOS benefits from this project in terms of practical implementation skills and confidence as a prime consultant. Over a five-year period, the firm issued multiple construction projects for separate areas of the park. We successfully dealt with managing architectural and engineering sub consultants and project components including, trails and pedestrian bridges, park roads

and infrastructure, amenity buildings, and specialized outdoor facilities. The resulting park system is a much used and loved landmark for the residents and visitors of Grande Prairie. RG

URBAN OASIS1In 1985, EIDOS Consultants became involved in the implementation phases of Muskoseepi Urban Park for the City of Grande Prairie.


“The resulting park system is a much used and loved landmark for the residents and visitors of Grande Prairie.”


Since 1987, EIDOS has been entrusted in a series of commissions in the sensitive world heritage sites of Jasper National Park. These assignments have demanded great care in protecting the natural environment, while affording a world-class visitor experience that speaks about Canadian values. Most of these assignments are unique solutions that have stretched our imaginations and challenged our technical abilities.

The Sulphur Valley Rehabilitation assignment centered around creating unique visitor experience - a ruin in a high mountain valley. We carved this ruin out of the shell of the original Miette Hot Springs building. The design deliberately blurs the

boundaries between the old ruin and the mountain environment. Imagine walking along the valley trail and encountering this mysterious artifact of man and nature. Nearby at the Miette Hot Springs, EIDOS designed an expanded pool deck with cool down and cold plunge tanks. Attention was placed on design details related to vertical transitions and deck edges. Eliminating wood barriers surrounding the pool deck enabled the opening of views to the surrounding mountains for patrons, bathing in the hot pools.

1989 CSLA National Award

Sulphur Valley Rehab.

SHAPING ALBERTA’S NATIONAL PARKS2From The Palisades to the ruins of the original Miette Hot Springs, EIDOS has left its mark on Alberta’s pristine National Parks.


Other signature commissions in Jasper National Park include a plan to enhance the visitor experience at the world-class Columbia Icefields Visitor Center. The entire visitor experience was examined from entering the parking lot to the interpretive center galley inside the building. A comprehensive menu of improvements was recommended for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Subsequently, EIDOS was engaged to implement a welcome entry structure, a wildlife interpretive walk, reconfiguration of the vehicular entrance and parking and a 100-seat Glacier Theatre. We crafted a much more memorable visitor experience by clarifying the time-space movement sequence and by offering more tactile, visual and experiential visitor components.

On another commission, we examined the site of the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, near Jasper, AB. Such sites in the National Parks often have layers of history that are obscured by the passage of time. The Palisades site with its collection of buildings in a forested - setting has a fascinating history. EIDOS researched the historical record and recommended a landscape restoration program that celebrates the past and gives shape to a renewed future for the facility. RG


EIDOS has been instrumental in the conceptual planning of Red Willow Park through to detailed park implementation. Initially in 1988, EIDOS assisted the City of St. Albert in acquiring an $11.1M provincial urban park grant by producing a high impact booklet to describe the proposed corridor park straddling the Surgeon River. Subsequent assignments included a Park Master Plan (1990), a West Master Plan Update (2003) and site specific implementation plans for Woodlands Water Park (1993), Kingswood Winter Park (1993) and Riel Recreation Park (2008-2014). Red Willow Park helps defines St. Albert as a quality residential community. The park offers and

extensive trail system for winter and summer users. EIDOS has crafted many unique park attractions including, a water park, a skateboard park, a winter park, a world-class BMX park, a sports stadium with artificial turf, a 93 stall RV park, a midway grounds, and a rodeo stadium. Most recently, a redesign for club tournament soccer and rugby facilities have showcased a state of the art computer controlled irrigation and fertigation system. An on site weather station calculates soil moisture and evapotranspiration so that water consumption and nutrient laden runoff is minimized. RG


Red Willow Masterplan

CULTIVATE LIFE3Red Willow Park is a concept for the long term development and conservation of the Sturgeon River and its shorelands for the City of St. Albert.



In 1989, Dow Chemical Canada engaged EIDOS to prepare plans for a buffer zone to surround the new Hydrocarbon Plant, east of Fort Saskatchewan. This project became a prototype in many ways. It was our first CAD project for a major site. The Greenbelt was the beginning of a series of projects that recreated natural plant associations for upland forest, grasslands and wetland ecotypes. To promote wildlife use, we collaborated with a wildlife biologist on the spatial arrangement of constructed natural features. A public viewing deck overlooks a wetland and field of wildflowers. Approaching the site, the views to the petro chemical plant are modulated with braided hills, wetlands, forest bluffs and grasslands. RG

A PLACE FOR WILDLIFE, A PLACE FOR PEOPLE4

The Wildlife Greenbelt around Dow’s Hydrocarbons plant was the first of its kind in North America.


“This project became a prototype in many ways; It was our first major CAD project.”


EIDOS has been engaged with campus planning and implementation at University of Alberta for many years. A signature project is the 89th Avenue Transit Mall where a roadway was closed and completely redesigned for a mass rapid transit and bus interchange. EIDOS produced an urban design strategy that strengthened visual and pedestrian connections and accommodated new desire lines for students circulating into the core campus. A CAD master plan with complex pavement systems, site furnishings and lighting was turned over to the City for construction implementation.

Other significant U of A commissions have included: Centennial Centre of Indisciplinary Science (CCIS), Sector Plans (Edmonton Campuses), Computing Science, 114th Gateway Entry, Fine Arts Courtyard Plan, South Lab Plan, Daycare Centre; and Augustana Campus Planning. RG

HIGHER LEARNING5EIDOS has been engaged with campus planning and implementation at the University of Alberta for many years.



Since 1987, EIDOS has been involved in many individual and larger shopping center developments within Alberta; providing planning, guideline development and design services; and construction/post construction review and administration. Our earlier notable projects include: Long Street (1989) and Southpoint (1996) in Edmonton. In 1997, EIDOS commenced work on South Edmonton Common – the largest open-air retail development in North America with over 130 hectares of land and 210,000 square meters in retail space. To date, new development continues to occur at South Edmonton Common. Since the initial planning, design and development of South

Edmonton Common, commercial development has advanced and transformed from inward, individual and auto-oriented centers to ‘destination’ centers with a higher standard in quality and a strong focus on “sense of place” and “market place”; integrated architecture and public space; pedestrian connectivity and social interaction; amenity features; sustainability; and establishing a unique shopping experience and tenant mix. This transformation is seen in our recent and on-going work at The Currents, Manning Town Center, Hollick Kenyon, Emerald Hills, Tamarack Shopping Center and Edgemont Shopping Center in Edmonton and The Quarry in Cochrane. DB

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS6With a strong focus on “sense of place” and “market place”, EIDOS has been involved in many of Alberta’s most successful Commercial developments.



Providing residents and visitors a nature-based passive park setting, Grandin Ecopond conserves, enhances and interprets the natural heritage of the site. Through a shared vision participation process with the City, key stakeholders, other professionals and the general public, EIDOS established a planning and design direction that enhanced the natural quality of the pond and expanded upland areas to support a ‘prairie’ landscape based on a Central Aspen Parkland and Northern Boreal Forest Dry Mixed zone theme. Through conservation and enhancements to the pond and upland area, further

habitat diversity was established for pond and wildlife, including: waterfowl; water birds; songbirds; mammals; amphibians and insects. In visiting the park on a yearly basis, it has been a rewarding experience to explore, participate and share in the ever-changing natural ecosystems of Grandin Pond EcoPark. DB

1999 CSLA Regional Award

Grandin Pond Eco-Park

A SERENE SENSE OF PLACE

Grandin Pond EcoPark is a hidden treasure within the community of St. Albert7




Broadmoor Lake Park

2014 CIP Great Places in

Canada Nominee

Broadmoor Lake and Centre in

the Park

In 1991, EIDOS was engaged by Strathcona County to develop a new year-round ‘central’ park in Sherwood Park. Through public and key stakeholder participation a ‘shared vision’ was established for Broadmoor Lake Park, based on the development of formalized and naturalized areas around the lake, and incorporating park pavilion buildings, plaza areas, trails, active and passive play areas, and open park space. The overall project took three years to complete and since its completion in 1994, Broadmoor Lake Urban Park has become the heart to surrounding additions such as Festival Place and Centre-in-the-Park.

In 2014, Broadmoor Lake Urban Park and Centre-in-the-Park was a public space finalist in the Canadian Institute of Planners - Great Places in Canada. This project is a true testament to the importance of urban park development and (after 25 years) well-conceived and implemented parks planning and design. DB

LIVING REFINED8Fresh off their nomination for the “Great Places in Canada” contest, Broadmoor Lake and Centre in the Park located in Sherwood Park caters to people of all ages during all seasons.


Sherwood Park has been developing a core urban precinct for over 25 years and Broadmoor Urban Park is its centerpiece. EIDOS was engaged to make this green space with an existing drainage pond a truly great urban park. EIDOS crafted a se-ries of interconnected plazas and bridges around a central canal like water feature. Other parts of the park were shaped into natural areas with informal walkways. In 2014 Broadmoor Urban Park was nominated as one of Canada’s best-loved urban spaces-- a testament to the strength of the design concept and implementation.


In 1994, we were approached by Syncrude Canada to design a front entry sign for their Mildred Lake Plant site. After a three-day visit to the site and a review of the new highway being developed directly through the East Mine, we established not only a entry feature but a ‘storyline’ to interpret and showcase the transformation of the oil sands process from active open pit mining to land reclamation. Along the ‘storyline’, we introduced the front cover: The Wood Bison Gateway and access to the Matcheetowan Discovery Trails and reclamation areas. The central portion of the ‘storyline’ included the Wood Bison Viewpoint – which oversees the Wood Bison compound and

includes trail development, furnishings, telescopes, reclamation plantings, helipad development, and interpretive signage outlining the Syncrude/Fort McKay Wood Bison Project; and the East Mine interpretive layby – providing visitors unique insight into the open pit mining process and the types of equipment used.

The back cover of the ‘storyline’ included the main entry into the Mildred Lake Mine site supported by an entry sign feature, trail development, naturalized oily water ditches and a large corporate pond with siltstone/rip-rap shoreline. The approximate value of this work was $ 5 - $6M. Our work on the


Syncrude Canada Gateway & Wood

Bison Trail

EVERYTHING HAS A STORY TO TELL9From active open pit mining to land reclamation, EIDOS established not only a entry feature but a ‘storyline’ to interpret and showcase the transformation of the oil sands process.


Wood Bison Trail lead to further engagements with Syncrude Canada Ltd, including the preparation of a Base Mine Lake End Use Study and the planning and design of their new Aurora mine site. In 1997, Syncrude Canada Ltd, was presented with a Community Service Award for the Wood Bison Trail at the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects National Conference in Edmonton. DB


BUILDING COMMUNITIES10EIDOS has been an integral part of building liveable residential neighbourhoods. The Grange, Sylvancroft, Hillcrest, Windermere and College Woods in Edmonton; Sherwood Hills in Strathcona County; Southlands in Medicine Hat; The Crossings in Lethbridge; and Windrose, Aspen Creek and Suntree in Leduc are past examples with several new neighbourhoods on the boards. We craft sense of place with our entry features, sculptures, site furniture and lighting. The solar flares at are an iconic sculptural element for the Suntree neighbourhood. Trails, parks, playgrounds are add to the quality of life and are critical to attracting and retaining residents.

EIDOS has played a strong role in community drainage systems, creating constructed wetlands, ornamental lakes, community rain gardens, and bioswales. Building successful communities involves the balancing of practical concerns (managing our client’s interests, acquiring City approvals and getting projects constructed) with our boarder concerns for environmental sustainability and place-making. RG / SJ

Over the last 30 years, EIDOS has been committed to creating sustainable communities that reflect our high standards without compromise.



2002 Alberta

Emerald Award

Hinton Town Hall + Government

Centre

COUNCIL IN SESSION11After Hinton’s former Town Hall was lost to fire, the community and our design team came together in comprehensive community consultation to develop their new Hinton Town Hall and Government Centre. The most important design objective championed by EIDOS was that Nature should be apparent and a respected feature of the landscape which would extend to the Centre, its setting and sense of mission.

The site was purposely planned to take advantage of its central location within the town, its spectacular scenery and dramatic topography. Other apparent environmentally-friendly design strategies introduced by EIDOS included: conserving and

recycling local natural features (timber, boulders, sub-soils, humus, etc.); retention of old-growth forest cover to help optimize the building’s energy consumption; and preserving existing contours for management of stormwater and development of a circulation system modeled after traditional parkways that featured a large, civic outdoor ceremonial space and a symbolic central pedestrian bridge.

In 2002, the project was recognized by the Province with its prestigious Alberta Emerald Foundation Award for Environmental Excellence. SJ

The Hinton Town Hall and Government Centre project was a forerunner of integrated design for the firm and contains some of our earliest sustainable site development initiatives, as it was considered a precursor to today’s LEED® program.



Since 1986, EIDOS has completed over 40 environmental assessments in the Edmonton Region. Under the leadership of Robert Gibbs, EIDOS was the overarching lead, coordinating two environmental team regulatory submissions for the South West Extension of the Anthony Henday Drive. In that capacity we lead an extensive team of biologists, pedologists, hydrologists, archaeologists and other specialists to address environmental effects and mitigation requirements. An overall environmental assessment report was prepared and regulatory authorisations acquired to proceed with the work. The greenfield roadway construction project included three creek crossings and one major

river crossing. An environmental quality assurance plan was subsequently implemented including compliance management and environmental monitoring. EIDOS implemented reclamation plans that fostered wildlife crossings under the new bridge structures. RG

BRIDGING THE GAP12Robert Gibbs of EIDOS was the overarching lead, coordinating two environmental team regulatory submissions for the South West Extension of the Anthony Henday Drive.



Once the main rail yard for Canadian National, Station Lands is a 9.15 acre Qualico property strategically located in the heart and the civic/ commercial core of downtown Edmonton. Our work on the Station Lands commenced in 2000 with the preparation of a comprehensive Development Permit package that proposed a high density and high quality development that reflected the City of Edmonton’s long-term plan for the downtown - strengthening the identity of the downtown core and incorporating a variety of office, retail, service, institutional, residential, arts and entertainment uses. The initial planning and design work was truly a team effort – strategically segmenting and phasing the proposed 2.5 million square foot

development of the site both horizontally as well as vertically to accommodate these components on an economical basis. In 2011, the Epcor Tower was opened as the first piece of the overall site. Currently, EIDOS is working with Qualico and the project team in the planning and design of the next two stages, including the Galleria – a large central covered plaza space that will visually and physically link and extend the Civic Core of the downtown to the front doors of the future 1,650 Performance Hall. During our work on the Station Lands we have always been given the opportunity to explore and introduce unique urban design ideas for this downtown legacy project. DB

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS13With the vision of a high density and high quality development that reflected the City of Edmonton’s long-term plan for the downtown, Epcor Tower and Station Lands has strengthened the identity of the downtown core.




Roper Regional Wetland

Wetlands provide a variety of benefits including filtration, nutrient removal, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat and nature appreciation. Roper Pond is a seminal design that integrates, constructed wetlands, ecological restoration principles, with public amenities such as trails, viewpoints and interpretive signage. As restored wetland natural area, many dedicated patrons frequent the site from nearby businesses and the community at large. During a spring morning visitors are treated to a cacophony of birds and wildlife – in the heart of a city industrial park! This project won a CSLA award and has been emulated in many similar facilities. RG

WORKING LANDSCAPES14Roper Pond, an example of an ecological restoration project, was built by creating a number of different habitat “patches” which grow together over time to create a riparian marshland ecosystem.



The Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre was the City of Edmonton’s flagship project in a series of new multi-use recreation facilities throughout Edmonton – offering an aquatic centre, fitness centre and track, flexi-halls, 4 NHL sized ice sheets, a Children’s Wing and commercial spaces. The site was designed to enhance, extend and seamlessly integrate the unique architectural qualities of the facility with surrounding land use and development, and to establish a dynamic, interactive, and sustainable environment with a strong sense of community and place. Through an extensive planning and design process, key site development initiatives included the establishment of strong visual and physical links

to the site from surrounding community schools, recreation facilities, vehicular routes and public transit stations and stops; the safe and secure movement of people and vehicles through the site; the provision of on-site and off-site parking areas; the development of a dynamic, year-round and universally accessible urban landscape; and the selection and application of LEED® based site development components. Along with a hierarchy of smaller gathering spaces, plaza areas, green roofs and open space; the most intriguing site component is the Green Zone, which was introduced to collect and naturally treat roof water and parking lot run-off before entering into the local storm water retention pond, north of the project site.

GET PHYSICAL15The Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre site has been designed to establish a dynamic, interactive, and sustainable environment with a strong sense of community and place.


The Green Zone was designed as a large bio-swale, complete with check dam structures, and native plantings (i.e., tree, shrub, forbs, grasses, and aquatic materials) to provide the appropriate filtration and aeration of roof water and parking lot water prior to entering the local retention pond. In 2005 - A first of its kind in Edmonton! DB


The study examined various aspects including, community engagement program, market demand, environmental management, access management, benefit/ cost assessment, user groups and partnerships and RVA business plan and safety. The outcome was a $600M park and trail development plan spread over five character reaches of the valley. The study has enabled the River Valley Alliance to acquire and channel significant funds to partner municipalities to acquire properties and easements, to build trails and boat launches, to reinvest in existing facilities and to start on new park nodes. The park vision is for a regional park system with continuous trails and amenities to serve a growing Capital region population.

Previously In 1997, EIDOS created the guiding vision for the long-term development of Louise McKinney Park. We decided not to draw any plans. Instead a focus group of opinion leaders was assembled to create a park vision. We then engaged an artist to create a picture of what the park vision. This rendering along with a high impact booklet provided the impetus and guidance for this postcard park for Edmonton and the Capital region. RG


Capital Region River Valley

Implementation Plan

CAPITAL REGION CORRIDOR16In 2005, EIDOS became the prime consultant for a multidisciplinary study for the River Valley Alliance to plan a regional river valley park spanning 88 kilometers and seven municipalities in the Alberta capital region.



EIDOS was responsible for the site and landscape design of The Landing; a premier apartment condominium complex on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River. The landscape theme was evocative of a water-worked river edge landscape with beach ridges, cobbles and terraces. These thematic elements were layered to create a rich landscape tapestry as a foreground to the apartment structures and as a transition to the adjacent riverside parks. A York boat sculptural feature was designed to create a strong project identity element along a busy adjacent arterial. A green roof garden over a lower parkade provides residents with amenity space next to an ornamental pond and

waterfall. This well crafted landscape design demonstrates how successful design can enhance the value of any residential investment. This landscape is well loved and cared for by the condo residents. RG

17This luxury low-rise condominium project fronts onto the North Saskatchewan River, in the valley community of Cloverdale, and was one of our first green roof projects.

RIVER LANDING



ALL ABOARD18The SLRT project gave EIDOS the singular opportunity to combine our corporate expertise in the fields of regional sustainable and urban design. Our final product spanned 32 City blocks and produced a contiguous linear park along both sides of the SLRT Corridor extending from University Station (Foote Field) to Century Park (23 Avenue) and integrated with: one new tunnel beneath the southbound lanes of 111th Street; two new bridges: a one-way bridge over Belgravia Road (to South Campus) and another across Whitemud Drive; and the new D.L. MacDonald NE LRT Transit Garage.

Where the former 111 Street was solely used as a vehicular commuter way, the new SLRT Corridor was transformed into

an interlocking network of public open spaces, conserved or relocated plant materials, multi-use trails, rest areas, stormwater ponds, tree-lined boulevards, planted medians, wood screen fencing, noise attenuation barriers and artwork to unite: residential communities, schools, libraries and shopping centers with new transit destinations and infrastructure.

The SLRT project has become the capstone to other City of Edmonton regional transportation projects such as the: Anthony Henday Expressway (SW Section), Yellowhead Trail/ 156 Street Interchange, 23 Avenue/ Smith Crossing, Ellerslie Road/ Calgary Trail Interchange, and Highway 2 Corridor Design Guidelines. SJ

In 2006, the City of Edmonton began exciting new urban design initiatives to enhance the appearance of approximately 40 blocks of the South Light Rail Transit (SLRT) extension.



2009 AACIP Award of Merit

Lakeshore Drive Redevelopment

Since 2005, EIDOS has been actively involved in numerous urban and parks planning and design projects in the Town of Sylvan Lake. Given the amount of time spent in the community, to many of us, Sylvan Lake has become a second home. One of the true legacy projects for us is Lakeshore Drive. In 2005, we were involved in the development of an Area Redevelopment Plan for the Waterfront District. This ARP lead directly into the design development of Lakeshore Drive and a subsequent six stages of contract documentation and construction – which will continue until 2016. Based on the analysis of existing conditions, guiding principles were formed to redevelop

and realign Lakeshore Drive as a ‘Complete Street’, with an integrated roadway; a continuous 2.5-kilometer promenade; a variety of commercial and residential areas; and Provincial Park and open space system. The redevelopment of Lakeshore Drive has established a year-round, vibrant, diverse, attractive and pedestrian-scaled environment that supports a healthy and active community lifestyle; provides an authentic sense of place that celebrates the Town and regions history, culture and traditions; and an animated waterfront area with opportunities to shop, live, work, gather and do business. DB

MAKING WAVES19Known for its hotels, campgrounds, shopping, recreation and culture, Sylvan Lake continues to grow as a community; with year-round living, and tourism activity of in excess of 1.3 million visitors yearly.



2008 UDI Gold Medal -

Brownie Award

Fort Road Old Town Urban

Design Plan

STOCKYARD REVIVAL20The new neighbourhood of Station Pointe was our first corporate foray into transit-oriented residential development. EIDOS’s involvement began at the project’s onset, as we were initially involved with the vision for a new urban village located on remnant industrial lands (21ha) that bordered Fort Road and the existing Belvedere Transit Centre. To support our vision, we developed a long-range, urban design master plan that envisaged a higher density, walkable mixed-use environment that optimized existing public transit, created mobility options for residents, and revitalized the historic Fort road Old Town in Northeast Edmonton.

Our project task was expanded to include revitalization of the Fort Road right-of-way through streetscape and median improvements.

New streetscape improvements were inspired by historical surface pavement materials and treatments from the locale – boardwalk and brick. Finally, EIDOS was responsible for the design and implementation of the local boulevards, architectural gateways, central square, landscaped plazas and open spaces to enhance the look, feel and pedestrian safety of the new community.

Construction began in 2008 and our urban design efforts, as well as our community improvements, has already garnered national recognition having received the prestigious Gold Medal, or ‘Brownie’ Award, from the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) for leadership, innovation and environmental sustainability in brownfield developments across Canada. SJ

Station Pointe Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Project is in the heart of the new Transit Oriented Development currently under construction in a much forgotten part of Edmonton history.



In the City of Yellowknife, EIDOS has been involved in various private hotel and housing projects; and municipal place-making and urban design strategies, streetscape enhancements, sustainability initiatives, and government building projects.

To date, our furthest venture into the north was to Inuvik. In 2001, we were engaged by the Town of Inuvik to establish a Community Revitalization Vision Plan – one of many vision plans completed by EIDOS. Our work included participation with Town, Provincial and Governmental representatives and the two main First Nations groups (Inuvialuit and Gwich’in); and on-the-street interviews, focus group sessions, and vision plan workshops with the community. The results from

the participation process lead to the establishment of several community development strategies and five key short-term actions which included: improved litter control and waste management; the implementation of a parks and trails network; the redesign, redevelopment and programming of Jim Koe Park as a key community gathering and marketplace; the development of an attractive gateway and community-wide branding program to provide an improved ‘sense of place’ and arrival to the Town of Inuvik, and enhanced way-finding and interpretation; and the development and implementation of a main street revitalization program. During our time in Inuvik, we were given an intriguing opportunity to experience the unique variation in season, people, and landscape of the North. DB

NORTHERN EXPOSURE21Along with our work throughout Alberta and Western Canada, EIDOS has been engaged in many projects to the north such as Grande Prairie, High Prairie, Peace River, Hay Lakes, Fort Chipewyan, High Level, and LaCrete.



2010 EUDA

The Quarters

Downtown

2008 International

Downtown Assn.

The Quarters

Downtown

The City of Edmonton engaged EIDOS on an ambitious redevelopment of the area. The new neighbourhood features 5 distinct precincts. There are 4 “quarters” linked by a central linear park known as The Armature, each having its own unique character and design. The redevelopment area also includes another EIDOS assignment, the Boyle Renaissance project.EIDOS was responsible for helping create the vision, bringing uniformity to the public realm and produced The Quarters Downtown Urban Design Plan. The plan features a mixed-use development showcasing high-quality architecture that integrates the best of downtown living on the edge of North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland, yet creates a unique place in the city.

The Plan also graphically outlines the long-term vision that is guiding the redevelopment of this community, where former, large geometric city blocks interlaced with alleys and sidewalks is broken into smaller, more inviting and walkable pieces where activity abounds throughout. EIDOS is proud to have left our signature on this new urban village; A place where community and the public realm is important, and pride and investment in the neighbourhood is evident. The innovation and industry leading design found within The Quarters Downtown Urban Design Plan collected several awards; in 2010 the Edmonton Urban Design Award of Merit; and in 2008 the Special Achievement Award by the International Downtown Association. SJ

URBAN REVITALIZATION22As one of the original residential neighbourhoods in Edmonton, The new vision for The Quarters Downtown is a vibrant, healthy community comprised of five distinct areas, each with its own character, activities and feel.



Over the last 30 Years we have been leaders in the introduction of nature-based play environments, waterparks, and skateparks in Alberta. Our involvement with nature-based play environments originally commenced with our work on the City of Edmonton – Naturescape program and involvement with the University of Alberta (Devonian Gardens), Naturescape program for school teachers. Through the last 20 years, EIDOS continues to introduce Naturescape and sustainable design components into many of the school sites we are working on.

In 1997, EIDOS was approached by the City of St. Albert to develop a skatepark for the community. After several months

of research and the assessment of potential development sites, Woodlands Park became the location for the first outdoor skatepark in Alberta. EIDOS and BPTEC Engineering (Terry Lawson) spent considerable time in establishing specific templates and construction details to ensure that the skatepark would meet the varying needs of park users and stand up to the harsh climate conditions that Alberta has to offer. This skatepark lead to the planning, design and development of another 20 skateparks throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In 2005, we commenced the planning and design work for Jackie Parker Park. After developing the program for the park,

FOR THE FUN OF IT23EIDOS has always enjoyed the opportunity to be the first in the development of specialized park spaces and to break new boundaries of ‘play.’


we worked with PlayWorks to establish a waterpark area and to convince the City of Edmonton to install the first (UPS Parks) Rocks and Ropes course in the City of Edmonton.

There has been an abundance of research around ‘play’ and its positive effects on learning, cognitive and physical development, and social interaction. We feel privileged to have been a part in the development of numerous ‘play’ environments throughout Western Canada and contributing to the positive effects that ‘play’ has on the community. DB


The Edmonton Remand Center is the largest and most technologically advanced remand facility in Canada with a capacity of over 1,900 inmates. The center was designed and developed with a direct supervision system offering more flexibility in inmate access to services and programs, while maintaining maximum security. The facility is approximately 60,000 square meters in size and is situated on a 16 hectare site. The site was designed to meet a LEED® Silver target and included a diversity of high, medium and low security areas and landscapes. Several of the security requirements included the complete separation of staff, visitors, service and inmates – from the entry points along 127 Street; to the secure and non-secured parking lots;

to the individual entry points into the facility. Once inside, the courtyard spaces had to be designed to minimize visibility from one unit to another to prevent inmate communications, while maintaining visibly open, safe and secure areas. A key LEED® site development feature is the diversion of all storm water into a complex forebay system and expanded wetland, east of the facility. This approach was taken soon after the completion of the schematic design phase of the project in order to respond to the high water table, unstable soils and limited grades on the site. Special care and attention was taken to maintain the natural and controlled recharging of adjacent wetland and its environmentally sensitive and significant natural areas. DB

A FRESH START24The Edmonton Remand Centre is the largest, most technologically advanced remand facility in Canada and replaces the 33-year-old remand centre in downtown Edmonton.



Boyle Renaissance – Phase 1 area was established as a special planning area within the Quarters Downtown Plan. The area includes a community centre, complete with a YMCA Child Care Centre, a YMCA Family Resource Centre, office and multi-purpose spaces; the YMCA Welcome Village providing 150 affordable housing units for those transitioning into the community; and a large central park space for community gathering and events. This project was a major investment and renewal project for the City of Edmonton and Boyle Street community – transforming the community heart and

establishing a central year-round destination and gathering space for both daily and special community events. It was a pleasure and a very rewarding experience working with the community, the Boyle Renaissance Advisory Committee and other consultants on this important inner city project. DB

COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE25The Boyle Renaissance redevelopment creates a community that brings together a range of affordable and market housing opportunities in The Quarters.



MAINSTREET MAKEOVER26Jasper Avenue and the Central LRT Station get a much needed lift to breathe new life into the downtown core.

The Jasper Avenue Streetscape and Central LRT Station Redevelopment project was no small challenge for EIDOS. People wanted to see Jasper Avenue become a great place where they can enjoy a vibrant and authentic urban experience. Where activity and flexible use of the public realm enabled the “spontaneous city” to emerge. The streetscape was to be an enduring legacy to the people of Edmonton and ultimately become one of the great streets in Canada.

EIDOS has a long and proven track record of bringing advanced and out-of-the-box thinking to significant streetscape and urban corridor redevelopment challenges. This streetscape

project was the first initiative of the City’s exciting Downtown Plan. Wherein, Jasper Avenue was envisaged to be Edmonton’s premier downtown high street, a signature shopping destination, and a vibrant, memorable and experientially rich focus for downtown living and civic life.

A strong desire for the development of a high quality and beautifully contemporary streetscape that supports pedestrian use and comfort was created. One that saw the Avenue reconfigured to achieve a better balance for all modes of movement. EIDOS introduced other streetscape improvements such as safe and consistent paving materials, wide curbs and


wider pedestrian walkways, clear travel paths and aligned pedestrian crossings, industry-leading LID technologies under boulevard trees, unified lighting design for all users, integrate art and expression within the public realm, and allow for universal accessibility.

The Jasper Avenue Streetscape and Central LRT Station Redevelopment project was in many ways a capstone to many other noteworthy urban corridor and streetscape improvements completed by EIDOS over the last 30 years such as: Stony Plain Road, Fort Road, 105 Avenue Green Corridor and Belgravia Bridge and Road in Edmonton; Lakeshore Drive in Sylvan Lake, University Drive in Lethbridge, Thickwood Boulevard and Clearwater Loop Road in Fort McMurray, and 50th Street in Yellowknife to name but a few.

In 2014, the Jasper Avenue Streetscape and Central LRT Station Redevelopment project was recognized with the Alberta Top Projects Award by the Alberta Construction Association and was nominated in 2015 by the Consulting Engineers of Alberta in recognition of excellence in municipal transportation improvements. SJ


Cultural landscapes are a legacy for everyone and their benefits are enormous. EIDOS is proud to have strengthened the City of Fort Saskatchewan is historical fabric through creative retelling of so many stories using cultural landscape interpretation, and at such a large scale.

The Fort Saskatchewan Historic Precinct Master Plan project effectually captures the heritage value of the Historic Precinct, one that is truly unprecedented in Western Canada. The area holds many artifacts and cultural landscape vestiges of: First Nations peoples; fur traders; 1875 North West Mounted Police fort and barracks; 1905 Canadian Northern Railway Station;

1915 Provincial Gaol (Jail) facility and 1937 Warden’s House; and 1909 Provincial Courthouse.

Our Master Plan also represents a collective public vision for the future of the Historic Precinct and adjacent River Valley parklands. One that returns public interest to the site as a place where past stories are unveiled and explored, where discovery and discussion take place, and where history continues to be made. Through archival research, site inventory and documentation, and public consultation with stakeholders and the general public, EIDOS successfully completed the master plan in 2014.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING27The new vision for Fort Saskatchewan’s Historic Precinct will have the chance to strengthen the community’s cultural fabric through creative retelling of so many stories.


The Fort Saskatchewan Historic Precinct Master Plan serves as a capstone to many other historical interpretive efforts undertaken by EIDOS over the last 30 years, and we are pleased to expand on the caliber of our project portfolio. SJ


Since 1959, the Edmonton Valley Zoo has provided families endless joy and exposure to many North American and exotic animals from around the world. As part of the evolution of the Zoo, a master plan was established to transition the Zoo from its original Storyland focus on youngsters and their imagination into an innovative destination noticed for being on the leading edge of conservation and education. In 2005, EIDOS commenced work on the Lemur Exhibit – one of the first pieces to the master plan. The main exhibit area was designed to emulate, as much as possible, the characteristics of habitats that support healthy lemur behaviour and activity. Living trees

with native grass understorey dominate the exhibit landscape, along with a wide water moat – to prevent Lemur escape; waterfalls – to aerate and animate the exhibit; various Lemur play and gathering components; a pathway system providing unobstructed views into the exhibit; and a small amphitheater seating area.

In 2007, EIDOS commenced research into the development of the Arctic Shores Exhibit – the first phase of the Zoo’s Polar Extreme project. The entire exhibit was designed to emulate a transition from boreal, to taiga, to arctic conditions. All materials used in the exhibit were selected to represent each

2009 CEA Award of Merit

Valley Zoo Makira

Outpost

2007 CAZA Env. Achieve-ment Award

Valley Zoo Lemur

Pavilion

POLAR EXTREMES28The new Arctic habitat, which opened March 16, 2012 is the first of several projects transforming the Edmonton Valley Zoo.


region and to support the actual conditions and landscapes found within each region. Key landscape elements include small-scaled pingos and an ice wedged polygonal field. Nestled within the exhibit landscape are the ground squirrel enclosure, the arctic fox enclosure and outdoor pool and Winter Retreat for the harbor seals and South American seal lions.

Our work on these projects and the corresponding Environmental Impact Assessments, and other projects throughout the Zoo, have provided us to opportunity to research and design truly unique and interpretive landscapes. Being a part of the Zoo’s continued long term plans and dream has been challenging and exciting process. DB


A sustainable site is where the natural and built environments find balance. Having designed and implemented many sustainable sites within our wide-ranging corporate portfolio, for both our private and public clients, one commonality consistently emerges - that ‘green’ infrastructure and ‘green’ streets are the foundation for rebuilding and expansion of our nation’s urban form.

EIDOS employs many LID principles and practices so that water can be managed in a way that reduces the impact of built areas and promotes the natural movement of water within an ecosystem. Rain gardens are one example of LID practices that

use natural processes to slow and filter water on sites and city streets. The Bridgeland Community Rain Garden in Calgary is a noteworthy example designed by EIDOS, where water is diverted off an existing street or parking lot into a receiving basin that has permeable bioretention soils, under drains, overflows and a vegetative cover of ornamental perennials and woody plants carefully chosen for there ability to adapt to extreme conditions - from flooded to dried out soils.

Other LID practices include the introduction of bioretention cell systems in our streetscape designs such as: Jasper Avenue and Stony Plain Road in Edmonton and St. Anne Street in St.

FOR A RAINY DAY29EIDOS have been harbingers in Low Impact Development (LID) and storm water management long before it became mainstream thinking.


Albert; and University of Alberta Campus improvements like the CCIS Building. Bio-swales and wetland development have also been introduced by EIDOS on several municipal buildings and facilities, residential condominiums and commercial centres projects, such as: the Edmonton Humane Society Campus, Animal Control Centre, Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre, Edmonton Remand Centre and Emerald Hills Commercial Centre. A final LID practice used by EIDOS are green roof systems and appear in such projects as the: John Janzen Nature Centre, Wilco WHIMAS Building, Petroleum Plaza, Yellowknife Government Building, and The Landing and Waterstone Condominiums. RG / SJ


EIDOS has a robust regional-scale Geographic Information System (GIS), cartography and planning capability. Following the devastating 2011 wildfire, the regional jurisdictions of Sawridge First Nation, Municipal District of Lesser Slave River and Town of Slave Lake formed the Slave Lake Region Tri-Council. Tri-Council is a completely unique consensus-based regional body. An EIDOS lead team of consultants was engaged to produce a Regional Growth Plan and Intermunicipal Development Plan. A Background Report delved into population growth projections, housing and economic development, environmental management, regional infrastructure, regional services and

regional land use planning. A Map Atlas was crafted with our GIS system for a 40 by 50 kilometre region centered on Slave Lake. A set of common regional goals and policies will be the playbook and common reference for Tri-Council. A landmark prototypical two-part agreement binds the First Nation and two municipalities into a regional collaborative relationship. RG

AFTER THE WILDFIRE30The Lesser Slave Lake Region Tri-Council engaged EIDOS to prepare a landmark regional growth plan and in-termunicipal development plan, based on a collaboration between a First Nation, Town and Municipal District


Regional Growth Plan Agreement (RGPA) & Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP)


SHAPING LANDSCAPES FOR A GREENER FUTURE


1 Urban Oasis Project: Muskoseepi Urban Park (1984) Location: Grande Prairie, AB P. 2: Garry Lock

2 Shaping Alberta’s National Parks Project/ Sulphur Valley Rehabilitation (1984) Location: Jasper National Park P. 4: Brad Mohr P.5: Robert Gibbs

3 Cultivate Life Project: Riel Recreation Park (2008-2014) Location: St. Albert, AB P. 6: Courtesy of Associated Engineering P.7 Terry Lawson

4 A Place for Wildlife, A Place for People Project: Dow Wildlife Greenbelt (1989) Location: Fort Saskatchewan, AB P. 8-9: Nathan Zuk

5 Higher Learning Project: 89th ave Transit Mall/ Centennial Centre of Indisciplinary Science/ Cooling Plant on Campus Location: Edmonton, AB P. 10-11: Nathan Zuk

6 Commercial Success Project: South Edmonton Common (1997) Location: Edmonton, AB P.12 Bottom image: Jim Dobie

7 A Serene Sense of Place Project: Grandin Ecopond (1985) Location/ St. Albert, AB

8 Living Refined Project: Broadmoor Lake (1985) Location: Sherwood Park, AB P. 16-17: Stacy Fedechko

9 Everything Has a Story To Tell Highlight Project: Syncrude Canada Gateway & Wood Bison Trail (1996) Location: Fort McMurray, AB

10 Building Communities Project: Suntree/ Sherwood Hills/ The Grange Location: Leduc/ Sherwood Park/ Edmonton, AB P.21: Nathan Zuk

11 Council in Session Project: Hinton Government Centre (2000) Location: Hinton, AB P. 22-23: Courtesy of Manasc Issac

12 Bridging the Gap Project: South West Extension of the Anthony Henday Drive (2000) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 24-25: Nathan Zuk

13 Soaring to New Heights Project: Epcor Tower (2011) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 26: Nathan Zuk P. 27: Brad Walker (Model Build: Stephen Ellis)

14 Working Landscapes Project: Roper Pond Regional Wetland (2001) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 28: Courtesy of Associated Eng. P. 29: Robert Gibbs

15 Get Physical Project: Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre (2005) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 30-31: Nathan Zuk

16 Capital Region Corridor Project: Capital Region River Valley Implementation Plan (2005) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 32: Leah Betker P. 33: (Rendering: Richard Connor)

17 River Landing Project: The Landing (2006) Location: Edmonton, Alberta P. 34-35: Nathan Zuk / Robert Gibbs

18 All Aboard Project: SLRT Extension (2006) Location: Edmonton, Alberta

19 Making Waves Project: Lakeshore Drive (2009) Location: Sylvan Lake, Alberta P. 38-39: David Brown

20 Stockyard Revival Project: Station Pointe (2008) Location: Edmonton, Alberta P. 40: Scott Lindquist

21 Northern Exposure Project: Inuvik Community Revitalization (2009) Location: Inuvik, NT P. 42: Josef Hanus

22 Urban Revitalization Project: The Quarters Urban Masterplan (2009) Location: Edmonton, AB

23 For the Fun of It Project: Jackie Parker Recreation Area (2010) Location: Edmonton, AB

24 A Fresh Start Project: The Edmonton Remand Centre (2012) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 48-49: Nathan Zuk

25 Community Renaissance Project: Boyle Renaissance (2007) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 50-51: Jim Dobie

26 Mainstreet Makeover Project: Central Station & Streetscape Rehabilitation (2013) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 53: Nathan Zuk

27 History in the Making Project: Fort Saskatchewan Historic Precinct Masterplan (2014) Location: Fort Saskatchewan, AB P. 54: Nathan Zuk

28 Polar Extremes Highlight Project: Parapit Exhibit (2012) Location: Edmonton, AB P. 56-57: Jim Dobie

29 For a Rainy Day Highlight Project/ Bridgeland Community Rain Garden (2014) Location/ Calgary, Alberta P. 58-59: Robert Gibbs

30 Creating a Legacy Highlight Project/ Slave Lake Regional Legacy project Year/ 2012 Location/ Slave Lake, Alberta P. 60: Robert Gibbs

PHOTO CREDITS



WOW...30 YEARS! A LOT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS;

In 1985, Brian Mulroney was our Prime Minister; Don Getty replaced Peter Lougheed as Alberta Premier; Microsoft released their first version of Windows, while Steve Jobs left Apple and started Pixar; Coca Cola introduced “New Coke” – what a mistake; unbelievably “Careless Whisper” was the number one Billboard hit; Back to the Future cleaned up at the box office – “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”; (unbelievably…again) the Oilers won the Stanley Cup and Wayne the MVP; and a hole was discovered in the earths ozone layer.

I hope you enjoy flipping through the pages of our 30 Year retrospective as much as we enjoyed going back and selecting from the many projects we have completed. Here is to the next 30 Years….cheers!

EIDOS 30 30 MILESTON

ES IN 30 YEARS THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR LEGACY

EIDOS Consultants Incorporated 600 Empire Building 10080 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 1V9 Tel: 780.428.5050 www.eidosconsultants.com


Documents

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