Back Then
Great views have always inspired. This is true even of the earliest dwellings.
The Juniper’s location on a sunny bench, with its stellar views of the Bow Valley, must be legendary. The archaeological record shows several ancient accommodation sites in the immediate vicinity.
In the trees 150 meters east of the Hotel, you’ll find the most interesting of the sites: the 4000-year-old remains of a partial pit dwelling, or “kiguli”.
Smaller than those found in British Columbia’s interior, Park archaeologists hypothesize this kiguli was built by the Shuswap as a place to stay when they travelled to hunt, or to trade salmon with bison-hunters to the east.
This theory fits with the oral traditions of other early users of The Juniper bench. Both the Kutenai and Stoney First Nations flatly deny the kiguli is theirs. A Stoney elder, interviewed in 1953, put it this way: “We didn’t dig no holes at all….just used skin teepees.”
In the 1950s
John A. Cawston was an Albertan, a champion of modern architecture in the province.
He designed the Hotel’s long, low-rise structure with great pleasure. Mindful of the newly-opened TransCanada highway, he chose continuous clean lines to evoke a visual connection to speed and technology.
Originally, the Hotel had 38 double rooms. The alignment of rooms on the south side, all with private balconies, ensured each room opened out to views of the Town, the Valley and several stunning peaks.
The building was unique at the time for its outdoor patio dining room, a feature guests still regularly enjoy. Other innovations, highlighted in the June 10, 1955 issue of The Crag & Canyon, were “television sets to entertain guests, with reception the best in the area” as well as “several rooms with natural fireplaces.”
In 1959, the owners added 16 additional rooms, a covered, canopy-like entrance and a convention hall. There is no record of what Cawston thought about these changes to his modern, minimalist design.
Now
You might be familiar with Art Deco, an early 20th century architectural style characterized by geometric designs, bold colors, and the use of plastic and glass.
We’d like to suggest “Art Eco” as an early 21st century architectural style. Art Eco is a perfect way to describe the reclamation, recycling and re-use that characterized the 2003-2004 restoration of the Juniper.
Arctos & Bird , a Banff-based company, had long recognized the experiential value of the site: adjacent to an active wildlife corridor; rich in archaeological history. The tipping point for the purchase was the way the Hotel fit so perfectly into its surroundings.
The design team didn’t have to look far to start the Art Eco renovation. They found the rippled glass that graces the reception wall tucked away in a mechanical room. The roof of one of outbuildings yielded six palettes of re-usable slate. And, the fabulous mosaic floor in the lobby is made of stones from the old penthouse patio.
The building’s original modernist design was not the only inspiration. The screen behind the Bistro’s bar is made of recycled fir timbers, stacked as they would have been around the ancient kiguli dwelling.
Art-Eco Design
Conservation, then conversion was the primary focus when construction was underway in 2003 under the guide of Arctos & Bird. The hotel re-opened as The Juniper in Nov 2004 with thoughtful incorporation of recycled and reused materials.
Wood: Recycled fir wood was salvaged from a World War II Vintage Air Hangar in Fort MacLeod, AB. The fir has been used in the construction of the bar, the end table blocks, the wood on the front desk and the large seating bench in the lobby
Glass: All of the windows have been replaced with Low E Glass energy efficient windows and insulate 35% better than standard windows. Low E glass windows deflect the heat back inside in the winter months and in the summer enables the window to transmit less solar energy and keeps the inside cooler. Low E glass windows reduce ultraviolet energy and reduce fading of interior furniture and bedding.
Slate: Six pallets of slate roofing tile were removed from the old staff accommodation roof. Slate was not indigenous to the Rockies but was used many years ago as roofing tiles. The slate has been recycled and used for hotel room numbers, signage & serving plates.
Green Roof: The drive through canopy, the lobby and ski & bike shed have a green roof which grows grass and plants. Green roofs reduce storm water run-off, they create sound barriers and they insulate to reduce energy consumption and they naturally put more oxygen into the air
Artwork
It is the goal of the Juniper to offer our guests a view of the talented artists found throughout every region of Canada. Original Canadian artwork is displayed throughout our Canadian Rockies hotel, and with the assistance of a curator, will be changing from time to time for our guest's viewing pleasure.
The artists currently featured within the hotel and Canadian Rockies accommodations:
Also featured throughout our Canadian Rockies hotel are exhibits – some of which are on loan from Banff's Buffalo Nations Museum.
Other Banff Galleries
Banff, Alberta, Canada is home to many wonderful art galleries and museums.
Canadian Rockies hotels like The Juniper are proud to sponsor Canadian artists.