LOBBY

The Moxy Banff lobby renovation is all about strong first impressions. Originally, the ground floor contained separate spaces – a liquor store, a bar, and a restaurant – that were all closed off. Seeing a lack of unity throughout, we decided to remove all the separations and turn it into a more contemporary open-plan lobby and lounge space. To achieve this layout, we knocked out multiple walls to open the lobby from front to back, allowing guests to access the 360-degree bar and check-in area from the moment they enter.

LOUNGE

To temper the openness of the space, we added some spatial divisions overhead with the ceiling coffers and lighting scheme, created by layering wood planks with reveals in between. A partially transparent wall also helps delineate various seating zones within the lobby.

BOARD, SKI & BIKE ROOM

Sequestered to the side of the ground floor in the Voy’s original plan, we relocated the bar to be a public space within the lobby and transformed the former bar into a Board, Ski and Bike room – a landing zone for guests coming inside from a day on the slopes.

WEST STAIRCASE

Our intervention on the stair began by ripping out all the carpeting, removing the railings, and building up the walls. Updated fire codes required new walls with a door to be built, sealing off the staircase from the guest corridors. From the copper-colored walls to the cement flooring, all finishes were replaced, and light fixtures added to create a warm, calming transition between floors. We constructed a stone wall to maintain a sense of place within this Banff institution, with windows in between each pillar that allow view-throughs from inside and outside the stairwell. 

GUEST CORRIDORS

Known for attention to the spaces between, we wanted to maximize fun in these corridors. Sand blasting the ceilings revealed the original concrete beams, exposing them for a more natural texture. The multicolored 1970s-inspired carpeting – realized in a warm palette of red and russet tones – moves up the wall for a psychedelic take on wainscoting, making the corridors uniquely durable for guests hauling ski equipment and gear through the property. A series of simple, retro-inspired globe lighting pendants draw guests through the space, creating a warm, flattering glow.

GUEST ROOMS

As with the corridors, the original structure’s precast concrete shell features prominently in the interiors as a nod to Moxy’s hip industrial aesthetic. The rooms were completely gutted and reinvented to make excellent use of space, with custom designed beds, desks, benches, and ski racks. To accommodate more guests, METAFOR split the original ballroom into 8 individual rooms using the existing skylights as a guide.

LOWER LEVEL

A maze of hallways was redivided to become a screening room, meeting space, and public restroom. Leaning into the lack of windows, we played with creative lighting solutions like the neon Moxy Banff wall sign behind the ski lift bench (an Insta-worthy vignette), warm cove lighting in the screening room, and large, industrial-chic pendants in the meeting room.

PATIO

Originally anchored by one large, kidney-bean shaped pool, we divided the patio into two zones on either side of the lobby entrance, each with a smaller pool.

On the opposite side, METAFOR rendered another building in the same retro vernacular with more guestrooms to expand the Moxy’s key count for more future visitors.