kengo kuma and paul raff studio designed new banff visitor center
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and based in Toronto Paul Raff Studio won the international competition to design a new visitor center and community space Banff National Parka major redevelopment project at its heart Canadian Rocky Mountains. Selected by Parks Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canadathe proposal reimagines Banff’s 200-block corridor as a low-profile, landscape-driven urban campus that combines visitor infrastructure with public gathering spaces, Indigenous consultation and ecological sensitivity.
Rather than introducing a single monumental building, the winning design unfolds as a complex woodvolumes of glass and stone arranged around a central square with panoramic views towards Mt Rundle and the Bow Valley. The returns suddenly reveal tons roofsexposed wood framing and generous overhangs that echo Banff’s alpine vernacular, while filtering Kuma’s signature lightweight material palette through a distinctly Canadian frame.
all images courtesy of Parks Canada
landscape anchors national park regeneration in Canada
The proposal is part of the larger 200-Block Banff Avenue Redevelopment Project, a long-term initiative that aims to transform ten contiguous lots in downtown Banff into a modern visitor and community hub. According to the jury, the design stood out for its integration of landscape and architecture, emphasizing outdoor public space as important as the interior program. Sustainability, durability and the ability to evolve over time without losing its conceptual clarity were also cited as key strengths.
The project resulted from multi-year Parks Canada-led consultation with Indigenous communities, local stakeholders and the public. These discussions informed the broader themes of management, concentration and materiality embedded throughout the project. The jury praised the design for balancing conservation, heritage, Indigenous perspectives and visitor experience while maintaining a “true to place” identity associated with Banff National Park.
Landscape architecture company DTAH collaborated on the proposal, helping to shape a network of permeable plazas, native planting zones, and flexible outdoor rooms intended for year-round use. The site strategy also incorporates adaptive reuse of the existing Parks Canada historic administration building, transforming it into a circular gathering space anchored by a central hall and lookout tower.
the winning proposal is part of the larger 200 block banff boulevard redevelopment project
wooden structures and mountain views define the new architecture
The new structures are seen as discreet architectural intrusions into the dramatic mountain landscape rather than iconic stand-alone objects. One of the larger buildings features a wide pitched roof with a transparent opening that brings natural light deep into the interior, while additional A-frame volumes frame pedestrian walkways and exterior terraces. A circular sunken amphitheater carved into the design creates a sheltered communal space lit from above.
Inside, exposed timbers and warm natural materials continue the project’s emphasis on tactile and environmental connection. The architects draw on Kuma’s long-standing interest in dissolving the boundaries between building and landscape, a strategy visible in projects such as Tokyo’s Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center and many cultural buildings throughout Asia and Europe. In Banff, however, this language is adapted to the rugged topography and urban symbolism of Canada’s oldest national park.
the new structures are seen as restrained architectural intrusions into the dramatic mountain landscape
Banff National Park is being prepared for future tourism development
Welcoming more than four million visitors annually, Banff National Park remains one of Canada’s most popular destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the center of western Canada’s tourism economy. Parks Canada launched the international competition in 2025 after securing federal funding in 2022 to study the future of Banff’s civic core and improve connections between people, place and national park values.
The selected design is still in its early stages and will undergo further refinement, environmental review and public consultation before construction begins. Current projections estimate completion between 2030 and 2032. Once realized, the project is expected to serve not only as a gateway for tourists but also as a year-round civic and cultural gathering place for the Banff community itself.
Banff National Park remains one of Canada’s most popular destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
