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Can’t believe it's not butter? Renovations could change shape, colour of Butterdome​

$27M grant from provincial government will go toward renovations


Construction is set to begin next spring, to be completed by fall 2027.


Are there any renderings or designs available? It's hard to believe construction will begin next spring if those renderings/designs are a state secret.
 
According to October 2025 reports, the specific design firm for the University of Alberta's Butterdome renovations has not yet been publicly identified. The director of infrastructure for the university, Anthony Hodge, stated that most of the details are still in the early stages.
Here is what is known about the process:
-- The university is prioritizing a new, sustainable exterior before finalizing the aesthetic details.
-- While the color and shape are important to people, the initial focus is on fixing structural issues like leaks and the energy inefficiency of the building.
-- The renewal is funded by a $27 million grant from the province.
-- The design will aim to solve problems with ice and snow falling from the roof in winter, which has increased operational costs for the university.
 
I envision wood and glass using timber framing with cross-laminated and glulam components with vast expanses of low-e laminated glass. Exposed grain in the wood members treated with stains or "shou sugi ban" (accents) that pick up a Prairie/Parkland sensibility. I have said it before... the advent of SuperWood makes now the ideal time for style experimentation to create an "Edmonton Idiom". We could outdo other places that have a style type (Santa Barbara comes to mind).
 

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