CAB Food Hall – University of Alberta

A 2020 MASI GOLD Award-winning transformation — brighter, more welcoming, and fully inclusive. What was once a dated, high-traffic student food and study hub has been completely reimagined. In close collaboration with Ben Louie, the University of Alberta’s Architectural Director, and his team, the design team breathed new life into the original 1960s precast institutional structure. The previously dim and uninviting lower-level food court and study area were transformed into a vibrant, accessible space designed to support student life.

The vision was to create a lighter, quieter, and more cohesive environment where dining, studying, and gathering could seamlessly intersect. A dramatic six-storey atrium now anchors the space, featuring a 100-seat social stair that links the main floor with the revitalized lower level. This $5 million design and construction project not only introduces a dynamic and functional gathering hub but also drives consistent traffic to the lower-level seating areas—for both everyday use and special events.