2025 G7 Leader’s Summit

1x1 architecture was engaged by Public Services and Procurement Canada to help transform the existing 13,500 ft2 conference center located at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge for Global Affairs Canada as they prepared to host the G7 Leader’s Summit.

With the current international political climate, Global Affairs Canada wanted to create a retreat-style Summit focused on intimate settings that would foster goal-oriented dialogue among Leaders. The use of “fireside moments” were employed in order to help promote community, meaningful conversation and unity through shared experiences.

The context of the site, The Kananaskis Mountain Range, creates a dramatic backdrop for the Summit and showcases the Canadian wilderness, helping to foster a sense of place. The dramatic peaks and inverted angles associated with the Rocky Mountains informed the design of the main Outreach Room where the G7 Nations and Outreach Countries come together on the last day of the Summit. An inverted, angled ceiling slopes towards the center of the room, helping to bring a more intimate scale to the room, placing the focus on the leaders situated at the conference table.

Sixteen foot high rough-sawn spruce timbers were strategically placed in front of an existing curtain wall in the Outreach Room in order to visually extend the space into the landscape and accentuate the verticality of the room. The use of these raw timbers speaks to Canada’s forestry stewardship - the spruce trees were felled in Canmore, Alberta as part of a firebreak initiative. The timbers also speak to themes of sustainability, renewable resources, and references one of Canada’s largest exports, Softwood Lumber.

The use of robust materials such as wood (Spruce, Fir and Oak) conjures a sense of strength and permanence within the space while providing a durable backdrop for the Summit. The inclusion of custom Dolomitic Limestone (Tyndall Stone) furniture establishes a connection to Parliamentary buildings and taps into a Canadian Architectural Identity. The overall material selection provides a stable foundation for discussions between nations and provides a sense of formality and structure for an event with such international significance.

The history and identity of the site as the Olympic Village for the 1988 Calgary Olympics also had a large impact on the design of the space. The inclusion of subtle gold metallic finishes throughout the space gives a nod to the “Gold Ballroom” that has been transformed into the Outreach Room for the duration of the Summit. The juxtaposition of refined metallics paired with earthy, textural finishes provides visual interest and adds to the spectacle of the space.

Thoughtfully curated Canadian content was intentionally integrated to promote Canadian design and culture throughout the space. Local makers, independent designers and larger Canadian manufacturers were engaged to contribute to the collective identity of the event.

Client: Public Services Procurement Canada / Global Affairs Canada

Type: Commercial, Interior Design

Construction Value: Undisclosed

Date of Completion: June 2025

Area: 13,500 sq.ft. renovation (1,255 s.m.)

Consultant Team

Prime Consultant: 1x1 architecture inc.

Structural: Crosier Kilgour

Mechanical & Electrical: MCW Consultants Ltd.

Landscape: WSP

Commissioning: Crosier Kilgour

Contributors

Camantra Millworking: Wood Walls + Timbers

Teknion: Outreach Meeting Table

Keilhauer: Outreach Chairs + Bilateral Meeting Chairs

Mobius Objects: Bilateral Side Chairs

Thom Fougere: Tyndall Stone Tables

Indigo Arrows: Drum Stools

Patkau Architects: Coffee Table (Maitake Table)

Nienkamper: Statehood Coin Side Tables

Bensen: Soft Seating

Akustus: Acoustic Panel

Photography: Lisa Stinner-Kun / Government of Canada (Event Photos) / Thom Fougere (Tyndall table Photos)

Filed under Commercial Interior Design