Ronald McDonald House, Calgary
Families First
For families arriving in Calgary during some of the hardest moments of their lives, Ronald McDonald House is more than a place to stay—it’s a lifeline of comfort, community, and stability.
After nearly two decades of growing demand, RMHC Alberta needed a meaningful expansion: more rooms, more shared spaces, and more support for families navigating long days at the hospital.
Our design adds a three-storey expansion and parkade to the original GEC-designed 2006 building, increasing capacity to 64 units while seamlessly knitting the old and new wings together. Every space was shaped with families in mind—quiet suites for rest, generous kitchens and dining areas for shared meals, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces that help people connect when they need it most.
The interior palette draws from Alberta’s prairies, while Indigenous motifs, inspired by Îyârhe Nakoda, Niitsítapi, Tsuut’ina, and Métis, appear in subtle patterns and textures, grounding the house in its place and community. Health and wellness were central: upgraded mechanical systems, isolation-capable zones, and durable, residential-feeling materials support the needs of immunocompromised children without sacrificing warmth.
Calgary's Ronald McDonald House expansion is pursuing LEED Gold, WELL Gold, and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, ensuring the house is sustainable, equitable, and built for long-term resilience.
With this expansion, Ronald McDonald House can welcome more families with dignity, comfort, and care—offering a healing environment that truly feels like home.
“It’s more than a shelter, it’s a warm meal, it’s a sense of community with the other families that’re staying alongside them here at the Ronald McDonald House.”