Intelligent Futures

It was learning week at IF. Lots of opportunities to connect with students at and which always charges our batteries. Then, we wrapped the week by attending a event featuring Adam Kahane.

A learning week that embodies many of our core values:
✅ Stay curious
✅ Strive for positive impact
✅ Extraordinary collaboration

We’re honoured to share that our 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors Housing Lab received an award from the Alberta Professional Planners Institute. Thank you to our partner , the seniors, service providers, and allies who co-created this work with us.

Why this work matters: too many 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors are forced to weigh safety against authenticity. Intentional and empathetic planning and design can change that. Our Open Source Guide aims to turn lived experience into practical moves for providers and municipalities, from inclusive policies and reporting pathways, to resident councils, affirming programming, and space design that signals “you belong here.”

As process designers, our role is to translate insight into decisions people can act on. This recognition affirms that planning for dignity, choice, and connection is both possible and necessary.

If you’d like the highlights or a quick brief for your team, message us and we’ll share.

Spotlight: Cochrane Age-Friendly Strategy

As one of Alberta’s fastest-growing communities, Cochrane is also experiencing rapid growth in its older adult population. To ensure that residents of all ages can thrive, the Town of Cochrane partnered with Intelligent Futures to co-create its first Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Through community engagement, research, and collaboration, the plan identifies eight key actions—from age-friendly housing and transportation to lifelong learning, health services, and safe, inclusive spaces. Together, these actions chart a path toward a community where older adults can age with dignity, independence, and connection.

This is more than a plan for seniors. By designing for older adults, Cochrane is building a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.

Learn more at the link in our bio.

We’re thrilled to share that the Halal Housing Lab has received national recognition from the Canadian Institute of Planners through the 2025 Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence.

At the heart of this work is , a community-rooted organization grounded in compassion, empathy, and cultural care. Time and again, one challenge stood out, the lack of affordable, culturally appropriate housing for Muslim families, especially larger and multigenerational households.

IslamicFamily knew the system had to change.

So, we joined forces with Another Way, SAS Architecture, .world , with support from the CMHC Solutions Lab program. Together, we explored new pathways—integrating Islamic design principles, Shariah-compliant financing, and a systems approach to build what’s never been built before.

We also created the Halal Open Source Guide so other communities can build on what we’ve learned. This award is a powerful reminder: when community leadership and values-based innovation come together, real change is possible.

Exciting times tonight! Our home Kensington Corner was recognized with a Mayor’s Urban Design Award for housing innovation. From the submission:

Completed in 2023, Kensington Corner is a distinctive addition to the inner-city neighborhood of Hillhurst. This innovative project seamlessly blends residential and office spaces into a compact form, serving as a model for small-scale, mixed-use developments in established urban communities.

Designed by Hindle Architects, Kensington Corner adopts a thoughtful approach to infill development, creating new ways of living and working for the family of John Lewis and the team at Intelligent Futures. The project makes a notable contribution to the definition of live-work spaces in Calgary through a balanced emphasis on architectural design, sustainability, and community engagement.

The building enhances the streetscape with its striking architectural form, refined details, and a mural by Calgary artist daniel j kirk. With its focus on accessible design and sustainability features, Kensington Corner aligns with The City of Calgary’s vision for vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods.

This project exemplifies innovation by offering a sustainable live-work strategy that thoughtfully responds to the unique scale and context of the site.

A big shout out to all of the people who made this happen, including:
Land use:
Builder: .shirt.ltd
Landscape:

Photography by: .ptrsn