The Grange: Landscape-inspired gateway for mixed-use open space development

The Balgray Development Area is a mixed-use master plan incorporating residential, office, and commercial spaces on the southern edge of Airdrie, just west of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. At its entrance, the Gateway establishes a strong sense of place and serves as a landmark for the community as it develops around it.

All Canadian Properties Inc. engaged Kasian’s Lifescape™ studio to create a conceptual master plan. The goal was to transform open land into a defined place that encourages gathering, slows movement, and attracts visitors from the highway. Connectivity, pedestrian movement, adjacencies, and parking emerged as key drivers early in the process.

Contextual research informed the design, drawing inspiration from the shed typology, the interplay of sky and ground plane, and the coulee landform. The grange symbolizes a meeting place on the prairies – a catalyst for future development and community life. Two proposed buildings, positioned to the east and west, provide farm-to-table market space and act as beacons of activity.

The coulee, a biodiverse ravine feeding regional waterways, became the foundation of the design. Buildings and circulation pathways were oriented to integrate with this natural feature, weaving development with landscape.

The streetscape emphasizes exploration and social interaction, balancing pedestrian and vehicular needs. Lighting, landscaping, clear signage, and a vegetated central boulevard create visual interest and reinforce the relationship between community and nature.

Completed as an addition to the formal plan by B&A Planning, The Gateway vision brings the beauty of the natural surroundings into the heart of the development.