Warming up to winter? Architecture firm building cold weather projects in Prairies

This company’s winter-first approach is attracting Canadians to the outdoors while a pub is looking at its patio and wondering if a year-round space could sell.

CALGARY (CityNews) – While pandemic restrictions put limits on indoor gatherings, how do you convince people to stay outdoors?

At least one company is taking a play from a winter city that doesn’t hibernate when the temperatures drop by adding specific design elements to help make staying outside manageable.

Projects by Public City Architecture is starting to show up across the Prairies. For example, one parking lot in the southeast community of Inglewood doubles as a public space.

“If we start to think of our Prairie winters as almost exotic, it changes how we see them. So, not everybody gets to experience that clear sky and clear air. That crispness,” said Liz Wreford with Public City.

The Manitoba-based company’s most well-known projects are at The Forks, a historical landmark and visitor attraction in Winnipeg.

Wreford said the number of winter visitors is close to matching the summer crowds.

RELATED: Calgary restaurants fear they won’t survive unless patios stay open through the winter

However, the owner of Calgary pub the Hose and Hound is skeptical, believing some projects–like winterizing patios–might be a tough sell to customers.

“We’ll plan, we’ll be ready for it if people do like it and they’re asking for it and it,s working, we’ll do it,” said owner Frank Nicastro.
Business is down 60 per cent compared to last summer and Nicastro said it is that’s saved them.

The pub installed heaters last fall and plans to push this year’s patio season into October.

Public City is working on a few projects in Calgary but Wreford said, so far, business hasn’t been any booming.

“We try and think about winter first when we design spaces so it’s always in the forefront of my mind, and I’ve been surprised how no one has been talking about this. I think I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen this year. I’m really excited to see how people use the city in the winter.”

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