Clear Water Reservoir near Calgary honors the Tsuutin culture

Reservoirs are often invisible pieces of infrastructure, especially when they are part of large multipurpose structures. But in the case of Clearwater Reservoir, it's a land near Calgary, Alta., on Tsuutina Nation. It was designed with such cultural relevance and aesthetic taste that it stood out as a visual part of the new Taza Park development.

The reservoir already serves the Taza Park community and the Gray Eagle Resort and Casino on the Tsuut'ina Nation. Designed by Zeidler Architecture with WSP and after extensive consultation with the Tsuut'ina Nation, the project features a curved security fence with wooden elements that suggest a beaver dam, while the conical shape of the wooden elements recalls the shape of a sheave.

In addition, inside the tank in the hood there is a glass facade with a Digital Multiplex lighting system that creates visual effects reminiscent of the northern lights at night.

“This project grew out of our connection with the beaver,” noted Hal Eagletail, Tsuut'ina Nation's custodian. “The beaver is very important to us as a body people and represents the history of our people as protectors of water.”

Reservoir “celebrates water”

Taza Park is one of three planned communities within the 1,200-acre Taza development. Taza Development Corporation and its partner Canderel intend to integrate retail, office, rental housing, restaurant and hospitality services. Commissioning of the water reservoir serves to start new construction.

The water source for the development is the Elbow River, which flows through the Tsuutina Nation on its way to Glenmore Reservoir, which will be treated. The water is then returned to Taza Park to be stored in a new reservoir.

Lead architect and Zeidler Architecture partner James Brown explained the decision to place the reservoir in a prominent location was for practical reasons, with proximity to the building's entrance being the cheapest option.

“So it's on, why not celebrate the water?” It's important to First Nations communities in Canada,” Brown said, noting that the team realized the project was an opportunity to “reimagine infrastructure as an element of cultural significance.”

While exploring the scene, the group encountered a beaver dam and another candle was lit.

“It just started, that's what a beaver dam does, right? It holds water. This is directly related to culture. So this whole helix and using wood … became the main theme, and then while we were doing that, one of the other key features of the whole project was moving towards zero energy.”

Early on, Brown and his team spent time on site creating physical mock-ups, testing different configurations of beams, lighting and fused metal to achieve a sculptural quality. They tried round posts and logs that were split, but they didn't get the look they wanted, he said.

Chainsaw will do the trick

Finally, the team used a chainsaw to create borders with shadows and textures, and blue elements were added to match some of the traditional colors of Tsuutina's regalia and give the project some “life”.

“Really, it was through the mock-up process that we developed it and figured out how to build it and what would be the best kind of design to create a strong visual presence,” Brown said.

Wood is also an important component of the hood. The wood was sourced locally and in BC, glulam and timber forms.

Like a beaver dam, a fence with trees of different origins can be replaced organically.

“Our expectation is that as the project ages, the piers may be replaced or they may be damaged,” Brown said. “This can easily be done by the community itself, just by finding a tree in the forest and fixing it.”

The project aims for net zero emissions, consistent with the sustainability framework developed for all public buildings within the Tsuut'ina Nation. Provides most of the solar pump's electrical needs.

The tank itself is just a typical concrete structure like any other, Brown said. It has a total capacity of 6,700 cubic meters of water and is capable of providing a reliable source of water to more than 15,000 residents.

The reservoir project is largely complete, Brown said, with minor finishing touches and landscaping continuing in the coming months.

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