Golden hour at Garrison Green

Trusting the process

“Trust the process” is a phrase we often repeat to ourselves in the middle of a big project – not least of all when living and working through a full-scale community renovation. But as the hammers quiet and the dust settles, giving way to delicate finishing touches, warm tones, and modern, inviting spaces, there’s a moment where you can finally step back, take a breath, and say:

“Wow!”

Where it all began

When Garrison Green first opened its doors in 2008, it was more than a new community for older adults. It was the beginning of a shift in thinking about how we experience aging. As United Active Living’s flagship Calgary location, Garrison Green was the ideal stage to redefine that experience: vibrant, social, with purpose-built spaces designed to encourage residents to pursue their passions, discover new interests, and connect.

It was also here that the seeds of United’s integrated living model were planted, where older adults with diverse care needs could live side by side, supported through connection, not separation. United Minds, United’s pioneering cognitive support services, also took root here, using an integrated approach to residents experiencing cognitive change.

Today, that same spirit of innovation is alive and well at Garrison Green and a recent renovation of the community’s common spaces marks a new chapter in the community’s story. Rather than selecting an architectural firm experienced in medical settings or institutional modernization, United chose expertise rooted in hospitality, placemaking, and creativity. Frank Architecture & Interiors, the award-winning firm behind some of Calgary’s most celebrated spaces, including The Glencoe Club, Major Tom, and Bridgette Bar, was chosen to bring a fresh perspective to Garrison Green.

Inspired by prairie skies

The firm’s concept for Garrison Green drew inspiration from Calgary’s celebrated skies, and those early moments in the day when the city is bathed in the warming glow of the morning sun.

“We wanted to capture the feeling of golden hour,” says Kristen Lien, Principal Architect at Frank Architecture &Interiors. “It’s a time of day that evokes connection, inspiration, and reflection, qualities that we observed as central to the Garrison Green experience.”

A collaborative approach

That sense of warmth and belonging extends beyond the design itself. Throughout the renovation process, residents and team members were invited to share their input and feedback at key stages. Concept boards and sample finishes were displayed, and conversations flowed freely about everything from flooring and furniture to the layout of the library and functionality of the bistro.

As sample furniture started to arrive, residents even had the opportunity to test out and vote on potential dining chairs, a small but meaningful reflection of how collaboration is woven into the United experience.

“The people who live and work here everyday know these spaces best,” says Alan Chapple, Executive Director of Garrison Green. “It was important to us that the renovation reflect their needs, their routines, and ultimately, the kind of place they want to live and work in. Their fingerprints are everywhere in the finished design, in the choices of textures, colours, and furnishings. It’s about creating spaces that truly feel and function like home.”

A community renewed

As the project came together, those golden-hour tones and thoughtful details became more than a design aesthetic; they became a symbol of renewal and of United’s commitment to evolving with intention, together.

That sense of renewal and excitement carried through to Garrison Green’s grand re-opening in September. Residents, families, and team members gathered to cut the ribbon and celebrate the transformation with an all-day brunch, live entertainment, and tours of the newly refreshed spaces. Laughter filled the halls as people reconnected over coffee and music, many pausing to take in just how much the familiar spaces had evolved.

The new bistro is bright and casual, a welcoming spot for a morning cappuccino or a chat with neighbours. The dining room features soft tones and elegant finishes that make every meal feel special. As you enter the community, you’re greeted warmly at the concierge, then drawn to the inviting conversation hub, where residents often gather to read the paper or strike up an impromptu conversation. Cozy reading nooks and a refreshed fireplace lounge offer the perfect setting for quiet reflection or people-watching.

In one of the most anticipated upgrades, the art studio, a cornerstone of Garrison’s creative life, was transformed. “The art studio is one of the busiest spaces in the community,” says Dixie Baum, Creative Facilitator at United Active Living. “Just by knocking out a wall, we now have so much more room for workshops. Residents who are down here daily have a beautiful, open workspace to call their own. It’s brighter, more flexible, and it’s wonderful to see people coming down just to spend time here.”

Fresh spaces, familiar warmth

“The changes in the community have been significant,” says Maddison Klein, Active Living Advisor at Garrison Green, “It’s so visually stunning and modern, but maintains the comforts of home.” Maddison continues, “And certainly, while the spaces have changed, the level of care and the relationships that are built here are still very much the same. This is still a community that feels like a small town. Our residents are the heart of the community, and nothing will ever change that.”

Residents have noticed the difference too. Brian, a resident at Garrison Green, moved in a couple years ago with his wife Judy because of the community’s integrated model. “Garrison Green is a little jewel that a lot of people don’t know about. You know it feels like home and it makes you feel like you never left home.” Brian explained in a recent Calgary Herald article, “The staff don’t treat you like a number, they really do care. Everyone from housekeeping to the nurses to the dining room servers — they’re there to help, they listen and they get to know you.”

Honouring the past, shaping the future

As United’s President & CEO Kim O’Brien reflects, “This renovation honours Garrison Green’s history as our first community, celebrates the people who call it home today, and prepares us for the people we’ll continue to welcome in the years to come. It’s a community that connects who we’ve been with who we’re becoming. It’s a reflection of United’s evolution, and of what’s possible when design and purpose come together.”

As the golden tones now spill across the newly reimagined spaces, Garrison Green stands as both a tribute to United’s beginnings and a promise of what’s to come. What began as a bold idea more than15 years ago continues to evolve into a place renewed, shaped by the people who call it home and the spirit of innovation that started it all.

We invite you to discover it for yourself: book a tour, meet our residents, and experience what golden hour at Garrison Green is all about.

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