This curious structure is unlike any other in Calgary. Looking more the part of a military installation, it’s a school built in style trendy at the time in certain parts of the world but never widely adopted here. They call it Brutalism and it’s one of a handful of buildings in the city to which we can connect the word. We’re at Mayland Heights School in the community of the same name and it’s one interesting hunk of concrete.
Built in 1968 it’s hidden away down some side street and not that well known but really stands out once in view. What strange thoughts on seeing it. “Is that a substation or something? Prison? Fallout shelter? Have we landed in Warsaw during the Cold War?” That sterile and uninviting appearance belies the fact that it’s actually a fun and care free place for kids.
Mayland Heights School: it’s BRUTAL(ist)! Architecturally speaking with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
This post was made possible by a gift from our own “Connie Biggart” and we’re grateful she has a real job to help underwrite operations here. Do the same…
The building has been historically recognized by the city but at present that comes with no protection.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
Brutalist/ism refers to the raw (or in French:“brut”) form of the buildings and the materials used to construct them and not in the negative sense as in the word “brutal”. Still, the wrong definition is often used and in response to the bad connotations, it’s sometimes called Heroic Architecture to soften things up. Dating back to the 1940s, the movement was at its height of popularity in the 1960s and 1970s before falling out of favour.
Brutalist buildings are characterized by their massive form, angular shapes and a rough, unfinished look to their exterior. Large unbroken surfaces and a minimal number of windows, or small windows can be typical too. The main material from which they are made is almost always bare concrete and this of all best defines the style, although brick and glass are often incorporated as secondary elements.
There’s a certain military vibe and ominous air to buildings such as this and they’re often criticized as soul sucking, heartless or cold in appearance. We get it, but at the same time have a soft spot for these unloved freaks.
In downtown, the Calgary Board of Education building (built about the same time as Mayland Heights School) and the old Planetarium are two noteworthy examples of Brutalist architecture elsewhere in the city. More often than not, this type of design was applied to institutional buildings here in Canada although elsewhere on the planet were synonymous with high-rise housing complexes.
With all that cement and reinforcing steel, tearing one down when the time comes, will be a herculean effort. For that reason alone, we don’t think Mayland Heights School will be going anywhere soon even if the odd report suggests it’s not in the best of shape in some areas.
The city has this to say about the building:
Gordon Atkins, who designed the school, is a significant Calgary architect. He was the first Albertan to be awarded the Massey Medal and the first Alberta architect elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. His award-winning commissions include the Eighth Avenue Mall (1968-69) and the Stoney Tribal Administration Building at Morley (1976-80). The school is an excellent example of Brutalist style that expressed the beauty and power of concrete.
The community of Mayland Heights was founded in the 1960s with most buildings here dating from this period. Bordered on all sides by busy roadways it’s sort of cut off or isolated from the rest of the city. There’s Deerfoot in the west and Barlow in the east. Then there’s the Trans Canada in the north and finally Memorial in the south. We’re boxed in!
A few blocks to the west of Mayland Heights School is a former Safeway, 1960s built, that’s been our radar for a while. It’s now an independent food store but with the building retaining all its original design elements, including the signature Marina arched roof, this makes it a rare catch today.
Looking at the building, the whole thing could be one giant bunker. We had a lengthy conversation with some former staff and asked if there was a secret Civil Defence room or some such thing inside, but they claimed to know nothing. I think they’re hiding it, though…
Bev Facey is Sherwood Park is a concrete bunker too. People first thought it was going to be the women’s prison— but it wasn’t It was an excellent school just ugly
Great post. I used to go over to Mayland every few years to photograph Mayland Convenience store (now a church). Though I drove near the school many times I never picked up on the Brutalist design. Would you consider the Glenbow Museum at least partly of that school ? Lots of concrete, minimal windows – a big fugly box.
We looked up that convenience store – we love places like that and photograph/patronize them when ever we can. We never knew about it, so missed out. We’re not schooled enough to say for sure, but would say minimally there’s Brutalist design influences in the Glenbow building. It’s pretty cold and sterile and that’s often one noted element of Brutalism (even if not necessarily intentional).
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Totally could be a bunker or contain one.
Looking at the building, the whole thing could be one giant bunker. We had a lengthy conversation with some former staff and asked if there was a secret Civil Defence room or some such thing inside, but they claimed to know nothing. I think they’re hiding it, though…
Reminds me of something around the time of the Soviet Union
That’s what came to mind for us too.
Hmmm. Looks like a factory smoke stack near the entrance and that chain link at the top of the wall like a jail.
If asked most people who didn’t know what it is would probably think it a jail.
Brutalist architecture is the best.
There’s a strange charm to them.
Same brutalist style as the old planetarium!
Yes, along those lines.
I’ve seen more inviting buildings on Mysteries of the Abandoned.
Yes! As a little I might have been terrified of the place.
Sharing it over to Calgary Architecture group. Lots of convos on this school
Thank you for that!
It looks like crowbar hotel to me.
Lock’em up!
Bev Facey is Sherwood Park is a concrete bunker too. People first thought it was going to be the women’s prison— but it wasn’t
It was an excellent school just ugly
Just looked it up and yes, it’s pretty stark too.
I’m guessing it has the best windows.
Or none at all…
It is pretty industrial.
It’s unique for sure.
Schools are called jails for a reason …
Here, they’re pulling no punches!
Both the school and the old Safeway were filming locations for Fargo. The school as a bunkerish sheriff’s office
Coincidence! We just saw that episode and recently photographed that old Safeway (but not yet posted).
Soviet.
…Union?
Great post. I used to go over to Mayland every few years to photograph Mayland Convenience store (now a church). Though I drove near the school many times I never picked up on the Brutalist design. Would you consider the Glenbow Museum at least partly of that school ? Lots of concrete, minimal windows – a big fugly box.
We looked up that convenience store – we love places like that and photograph/patronize them when ever we can. We never knew about it, so missed out. We’re not schooled enough to say for sure, but would say minimally there’s Brutalist design influences in the Glenbow building. It’s pretty cold and sterile and that’s often one noted element of Brutalism (even if not necessarily intentional).
I love these buildings, especially the original Planetarium. We have just enough of them, because variety is the spice of life.
We agree. It’s not the most photogenic building – in fact it’s butt ugly – but there in lies the charm. It’s quirky and that we love.
As always – interesting background information
So happy you liked it!