FAQs
- Treating landscape and architecture as equal and integrated
- Prioritizing outdoor public space and connection to nature
- Balancing conservation, heritage, Indigenous perspectives, and visitor experience
- Demonstrating strong sustainability performance
- Offering flexibility and resilience for future refinement
- Alison Brooks Architects with Kumlin Sullivan Architecture Studio
- EVOQ + Ryder
- KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES + Paul Raff Studio
- KPMB Architects
- Revery Architecture
- Stantec Architecture
What’s happening?
Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada has successfully completed an international design competition to develop a conceptual design for a reimagined visitor centre and community space in the heart of Banff National Park (for the 200-Block of Banff Avenue Redevelopment Project).
What design was chosen and who was the winner?
An independent jury assembled by the RAIC has chosen design #5 as the winning conceptual design, submitted by Paul Raff Studio and Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Why was this design selected?
The jury determined that Design #5 demonstrated the greatest overall potential to become a successful vibrant visitor centre and community hub in Banff National Park. The design was recognized for:
The jury described the design as having the “best bones” meaning it provides the strongest framework and foundation from which to develop the project further without losing the original spirit of the design.
Does this announcement represent a final design?
No, the selected winner is a conceptual design and represents early stages of the design. Parks Canada, through a negotiated procedure, will work with the winning design teams to further refine the design to best incorporate all needs for the project.
What’s happening next?
Parks Canada is currently exploring funding models for this project. Parks Canada, through a negotiated procedure, intends to enter into a contract with the winner for the realization of the project. The project remains in the conceptual and planning phase, and future steps depend on funding, approvals, and further design development.
How can Canadians ensure transparency of the process and that the decision was made fairly?
The competition followed a clear, open, and transparent process administered under RAIC competition standards. During pre-qualification, submissions were evaluated using criteria outlined in the pre-qualification documents by an evaluation team including Parks Canada, RAIC professional advisors, and overseen by an independent third-party fairness monitor. During the one-stage competition, all six teams were treated equally from start to finish, assessed against the same criteria, supported by the same information, and reviewed through the same steps. Professional advisors were involved throughout the process, providing guidance and advice on process while preserving the jury's independence.
What was the design competition process?
The design competition was first made public via news release in June of 2025, whereby design teams underwent a pre-qualification stage. Interest in this competition was high and Parks Canada received 44 complete submissions from multidisciplinary teams. Submissions were evaluated using criteria outlined in the pre-qualification documents by an evaluation team including Parks Canada, RAIC professional advisors, and overseen by an independent third-party fairness monitor. Following this rigorous evaluation process, six teams were selected to advance to the design competition, in which they submitted conceptual design proposals for the 200-Block of Banff Avenue site. All six designs that were received by Parks Canada then underwent public engagement and technical review, through which the jury recommended a winner to Parks Canada.
Who were the six pre-qualified teams?
The top six ranked pre-qualified teams who submitted a conceptual design to Parks Canada are listed below in alphabetical order:
Each team is eligible to practice in Alberta, has strong Canadian representation, and brings together a range of expertise, including Indigenous Knowledge weavers and visitor experience specialists. These interdisciplinary teams reflect a deep commitment to design excellence, sustainability, and cultural awareness.
Who is on the jury? And how did the jury decide on a winner?
A Jury of recognized design professionals was assembled by the RAIC for the competition. The jury’s role was to evaluate the design proposals and produce a formal report for the design competition. As part of deliberations, the jury considered public and Indigenous engagement, and technical and feasibility evaluations. Now that a winning design has been chosen, the jury will provide recommendations to Parks Canada on how to refine the winning design to best suit the objectives of the project.
The RAIC has the jury members for the project listed here: https://raic.org/news/jury-panel-announced-for-200-block-banff-avenue-redevelopment-architectural-design-competition/