A Placemaking Journal

Located on the doorstep of Banff National Park, the Town of Canmore is fast becoming a major world class resort destination. With this in mind, the vision for Silvertip Village is based on creating a world class resort village inspired by the wisdom and charm of mountain villages and hill towns of the European Alps.

Under the banner of the Civic Design Group, PlaceMakers principal Geoff Dyer prepared the village master plan and a detailed architectural pattern book. The design process was initiated by a 10-day tour of the European Alps by designers and client to carefully study precedents. Silvertip Village will have a distinctly urban village character with an emphasis on a vibrant mixed-use pedestrian oriented environment. World class architects, including Urban Design Associates (UDA) of Pittsburgh, Victor Deupi of New York, Krier-Bontempi of Parma, Italy, and Leon Krier have been engaged to exemplify the new Silvertip Style.

The project incorporates a comprehensive sustainability strategy that includes sustainable urbanism through its walkability and mixed-use design, green infrastructure such as geothermal heating and stormwater BMPs, wildlife movement corridors, and green building techniques.