SAIT Students Bring New Life to Calgary’s FCJ Centre and Win National Recognition

What began as a student project has turned into national recognition for three SAIT Architectural Technologies students, Natalie, Maddy, and Robert, whose capstone work on Calgary’s historic FCJ Christian Life Centre earned them the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) Student Achievement Award.

In January, the team chose the FCJ Centre as the focus of their final-semester project, drawn by its history and character. “We met with Sister Terry and Carol for a tour and to look through old floor plans from the archives,” Natalie shared. What followed was months of careful study, taking precise measurements, using drones and heat imaging to capture every detail, and immersing themselves in the story of the building.

Using REVIT, an industry-standard design program, the students created a full 3D model of the Centre, complete with floor plans and elevations to help guide future preservation. In July, they presented their findings and recommendations to FCJ Centre staff and Sisters, the culmination of countless hours of teamwork and dedication.

A few months later, in late October, came the exciting news: their project had won the CAHP Student Achievement Award. Madison and Robert accepted the honour in Halifax, Nova Scotia, representing both the team and the FCJ Centre community that had welcomed them.

“Thank you for all your help with our project,” Natalie wrote to the FCJ Centre. “It was such a privilege to work with you, we’re truly grateful.”

Their work is more than an academic achievement, it’s a bridge between heritage and technology, showing how the next generation of architects is helping preserve Canada’s stories, one building at a time.#