Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

To revitalize CMLC's online presence, we embarked on a comprehensive website redesign. Our goal was to create a digital platform that would not only reflect CMLC's updated brand identity but also enhance user experience and seamlessly integrate with their content management system.

We introduced a headless CMS architecture, enabling more flexibility and scalability for future growth. This decoupled approach allowed us to craft a custom front-end experience while empowering CMLC's team to easily manage and update content.

The redesign process involved a meticulous migration of existing content, ensuring a smooth transition to the new platform. We worked closely with CMLC to understand their content hierarchy and user journeys, optimizing the site structure and navigation for intuitive exploration.

To showcase CMLC's transformative projects, we integrated Mapbox, a powerful mapping tool that visually orients their initiatives within the context of Calgary's urban landscape. This interactive feature allows users to explore CMLC's impact across the city, fostering a deeper understanding of their work.

Throughout the design process, we paid close attention to every detail, ensuring that the website's visual elements, from colour palette to typography, aligned with CMLC's refreshed brand identity. The result is a striking, cohesive digital platform that embodies CMLC's commitment to enhancing Calgary's vitality and beauty.

Launched in October 2023, the new website serves as a compelling digital home for CMLC, engaging visitors with impactful visuals, streamlined navigation, and a user-centric experience that brings their mission to life.

In our ongoing partnership with CMLC, we've taken the Culture + Entertainment District's Access Map to new heights. Version two of this interactive tool now offers a fully immersive, 3D experience that empowers users to explore the district like never before.

The enhanced Access Map features custom 3D models of the area's buildings, providing a strikingly realistic representation of the district's layout. This visual upgrade not only improves the map's aesthetic appeal but also boosts user engagement and understanding. Visitors can now virtually navigate the space, gaining clearer insights into building locations, access points, and potential obstacles, ultimately facilitating better planning and wayfinding.

To further elevate the user experience, we've introduced an innovative "Stories" feature. This powerful tool allows CMLC to create and share guided narratives that lead users through curated journeys within the map. By crafting these Stories, CMLC can highlight key features, developments, and accessibility information, offering a more structured and informative exploration of the virtual district.

The Stories feature empowers CMLC to tailor the user experience, showcasing specific routes, points of interest, or ongoing initiatives. This level of control ensures that visitors engage with the district's offerings in a meaningful way, while also enhancing CMLC's ability to communicate their vision and impact effectively.

By combining cutting-edge 3D visualization with guided storytelling, the enhanced C+E Access Map sets a new standard for interactive urban exploration tools. Launched in October 2024, this immersive platform leverages technologies like React, Vite, MapLibre GL JS, and Sanity CMS to deliver a seamless, informative, and engaging user experience that brings the Culture + Entertainment District to life in the digital realm.

To showcase CMLC's strategic achievements and impact, we collaborated on the design and development of their 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Impact Report. This interactive web-based report brings CMLC's strategic framework to life, presenting data-driven insights and compelling narratives that highlight their progress and the transformative effects of their initiatives on Calgary's communities.

The report seamlessly integrates with CMLC's website, ensuring a cohesive user experience. Rather than creating a separate subdomain or standalone site, we developed the report as an integral part of CMLC's digital presence. This approach allows users to explore the report within the context of CMLC's broader story, reinforcing the connection between their strategic vision and tangible outcomes.

To enrich the narrative, the report incorporates a diverse range of media, including photos, data visualizations, short videos, and pull quotes. These elements work together to create an engaging, multi-dimensional storytelling experience that brings abstract concepts and quantitative data to life. By weaving together visual and textual content, the report offers users multiple pathways to understand and connect with CMLC's impact.

One of the key innovations of this project lies in its content management. We structured the report within CMLC's existing CMS, Sanity, empowering their team to easily update and maintain the content themselves. This future-proofing approach ensures that the report remains a living, evolving resource that can grow alongside CMLC's ongoing initiatives.

Moreover, the modular design of the report's components and sections opens up exciting possibilities for reuse and expansion. The flexible architecture allows CMLC to repurpose elements for future reports or create entirely new narratives by combining existing components with fresh content. This scalability positions the Strategic Plan Impact Report not just as a one-time project, but as a foundation for CMLC's ongoing impact communications.

Launched in November 2024, the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Impact Report exemplifies the power of interactive storytelling in conveying complex institutional narratives. By leveraging thoughtful design, data-driven insights, and modular content architecture, we've created a dynamic platform that amplifies CMLC's voice, demonstrates their impact, and invites audiences to explore the transformative potential of their work.

To further support CMLC's project communications, we developed a new "partner packages" feature for their website. This innovative solution streamlines the process of sharing project information with key stakeholders, including the media, project partners, community groups, architects, and construction teams.

Prior to this feature, CMLC relied on distributing USB drives and printed materials containing project details. While they still create hard copies for formalities and event handouts, the partner packages feature allows them to house all assets and downloadable information directly on their website. This digital approach enables easy updates and eliminates the need for physical distribution, reducing waste and ensuring all stakeholders have access to the most current information.

The partner packages system includes a feature that requires users to enter basic personal information before downloading assets. This allows CMLC to track who has accessed specific materials and when, providing valuable metrics and insights. For example, if a media outlet downloads assets, CMLC can anticipate potential coverage and prepare accordingly.

Launched in July 2024, the partner packages feature has transformed how CMLC communicates project information, offering a more sustainable, efficient, and trackable solution that keeps all stakeholders informed and engaged.