For GGA, 2025 was a reminder of why meaningful work matters. Thoughtful design brought people together, supported well-being and strengthened the communities we serve. The relationships, conversations and moments of collaboration that shaped our year deepened architecture’s role in everyday life and its ability to influence how people connect, learn, and feel supported within their environments.

Design touches daily life in countless ways. That responsibility shapes how we approach each project with care and intention. We invest in community because connection builds resilience. We mentor emerging professionals across our multidisciplinary teams because the future of our industry depends on shared knowledge. And we celebrate our people because meaningful work is only possible when teams feel supported, trusted, and inspired.

With this perspective in mind, here is a look at the ideas, people, and work that shaped the GGA-Architecture studio in 2025.

Project Highlights

Our work this year was rooted in the belief that architecture is at its best when it brings people together. Every project we had the opportunity to be part of, whether completed or still taking shape, grew from empathy, collaboration, and the shared expertise of our multidisciplinary team.

Designers, technologists, and contract administrators worked closely throughout each phase, contributing their insight and care to bring these spaces to life. Each project was shaped with intention, grounded in how people move through spaces, gather, learn, and connect. These buildings are the result of listening closely, collaborating deeply, and designing with care for both present needs and future possibilities. Together, they reflect our commitment to thoughtful architecture that supports everyday life and strengthens the communities it serves.

Airdrie Inspire Library and Multi-Use Facility transforms a former fire hall site into a vibrant civic landmark.

The new Kainai Administration building will provide a purpose-built space where the administration of the Blood Tribe can operate to its fullest extent and meet its current and future needs.

The Calgary Zoo’s Savannah Crossing is a nod to the natural gathering places of the savannah, where diverse species meet, interact, and share their world.

Complexe Scolaire Francophone de Silverado delivers educational services for the Francophone Education Region No. 4 through three new facilities: a daycare, a K–6 school, and a 7–12 school. Designed to support seamless transitions across all grade levels, the campus features a wide range of age-appropriate, adaptable spaces.

The Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) brings bold ideas to life by partnering with industry on advanced manufacturing solutions.

The Forge is a striking architectural addition to Northwest Calgary’s University District, located across the street from Central Commons Park and in the heart of the vibrant University District hub.

The W.J. Elliot Building at Olds College redefines trades education by placing student learning and craftsmanship at the forefront. The project is both a renovation and a new addition, designed to retain much of the existing structure while introducing state-of-the-art teaching environments.

In response to the mounting pressures of affordability in Canmore, GGA has partnered with the Canmore Community Housing Corporation to design a pair of mid-rise residential buildings: one four-storey and the other six-storey. Together, they will bring more than 150 new below-market units to the heart of the town.

Rising 29 storeys and encompassing 258 residential units, 4th Street Lofts features a three-storey mixed-use podium with retail spaces on the ground floor and rental units above.

Complexe Scolaire Francophone de Silverado Role / This project delivers educational services for the Francophone Education Region No. 4 through three new facilities: a daycare, a K–6 school, and a 7–12 school. Designed to support seamless transitions across all grade levels, the campus features a wide range of age-appropriate, adaptable spaces

Originally built for the 1988 Olympics, this renovation and expansion of WinSport Day Lodge will transform the facility into a Net-Zero building to set new standards in inclusivity and sustainability.

The expansion of Rundle Academy is designed to create a more welcoming and supportive learning environment, aligning with the school’s mission to educate students in grades 4–12 with diagnosed learning disabilities.

Recognition

This year brought moments of recognition that reinforced the impact of our work and the dedication of our team. We were honoured to receive a Canadian Architect Award of Merit for the modernization of Contemporary Calgary in collaboration with KPMB Architects. This recognition reflects a shared vision for a space where art, culture and community can flourish.

Reimagining Contemporary Calgary

GGA’s project team behind the Contemporary Calgary modernization

Leadership growth also shaped the year. Brian Massey stepping into the role of Managing Director of Design and Nathan Erickson becoming an Architectural Technology Team Lead marked important milestones for our studio. These moments speak to the mentorship, trust, and collective responsibility that guide our work and support long-term growth within our teams.

Brian Massey; Managing Director, Design

Nathan Erickson; Team Lead, Architectural Technology

Nathan Erickson speaking at his promotion announcement

Celebrating milestones within our studio

A celebratory moment

Culture

Our culture thrives on connection and curiosity, and 2025 reinforced the importance of taking time to come together. Design outings, summer socials, Stampede breakfasts, softball games, and year-end celebrations created space to slow down, share ideas, and strengthen relationships.

These moments matter. They support collaboration, encourage creativity, and shape how we show up for one another and for our work.

This spirit is also captured in our GGA-Architecture: Inside the Studio video, which offers a closer look at the people, values, and everyday interactions that define who we are. For more than forty years, our firm has been guided by collaboration, mentorship, and design with purpose. The video reflects this legacy and the shared values that continue to bring our team together.

Our culture is more than the events we share. It is the environment that supports growth, encourages curiosity, and gives our work its depth.

Community Impact

Community has always been central to our work at GGA. It shapes how we design, how we collaborate and how we show up for the people and places around us. In many ways, it is the foundation that anchors everything we do.

In 2025, this commitment took many forms. We welcomed students from high school through university into our studio for presentations and hands-on learning. These exchanges reminded us of why mentorship matters. Sharing our process strengthens the future of this industry and keeps us connected to the next generation of ideas.

The 2025 Tour Alberta for Cancer was another meaningful part of our year. Participating for seven consecutive seasons, our team continues to ride and fundraise for a cause that holds deep significance for many of us. It is a tradition rooted in care, commitment, and community.

Team GGA at the 2025 Tour Alberta for Cancer research

Team GGA at the 2025 Tour Alberta for Cancer research

We also continued to support local organizations and businesses whose work contributes to the health and vitality of our city. Together, these efforts reinforce our belief that architecture lives within community. Our impact extends beyond the buildings we design. It lives in the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the ways we choose to participate.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to 2026, we remain committed to designing with intention, empathy, and care for the communities we serve.

Thank you to our clients, consultants and partners for your trust, collaboration, and shared dedication throughout 2025. Here’s to continuing this work together!