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).
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929 & a photo by the manager's 7 years old daughter. More below 👇
Agreema politely asked if she could shoot a few photos & we obliged. A dark environment like this is very unforgiving & the camera she used quite temperamental, so she did an amazing job. We're out of work as photographers! Great food at this place, BTW!
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Tofield Hotel, built in 1912 & patron Lana, shot on Rob's vintage view camera. More below 👇
She's a sweetie & met her late husband at the hotel. The building from the alley side hasn't changed much since being built but the front brickwork is now covered by siding.
Crossley slides (unrestored), an unnamed fellow snacking on Sun-Maid Raisins - mountains of BC - 1950s. More below 👇
The distinctive red box is instantly recognizable! The location is listed as the Whitewater Valley & we think it's in the Sandon area close to Retallack. Perhaps some of our friends out that way can confirm. Sandon B.C., would Hal know? Crossley frequented Sandon so the location makes sense. Note the (mine?) road cutting across the slope in back. The slide is dated 1955 in the catalogue but 1956 on the frame.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
An old section of Highway #6 (BC) in the 1970s & 2021 - it's the second most shared post in our entire history! More below 👇
The original photo shows the road about the time it was decommissioned. This was always a troublesome section & so it got replaced by a new route further up the hill. While it hasn’t seen a car in eons, it remains overall in reasonable shape, save for some rockfall in places like this. These came down about ten years ago.
Happy Holidays from Off the Beaten Path w' Chris & Connie. Thanks for your continued support & encouragement. More 👇
🎄 🎄 🎄
CPKC's Holiday Train from a few nights ago. Rather than fight the crowds to see it, we wanted something a little more intimate. A bit of hike, but we brought mulled wine to help us keep warm while waiting. It's not a great shot & originally we had no intent to share it here, but what the heck.
Trainspotting is like fishing. It's not about the catch but rather getting out. If a train comes by, great, but if not, we had each other & a chance to get away from the day's problems. That's a BIG win in our books...even if we did freeze our bottoms off. _______
Out exploring 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!