Overview
Bow Care Pharmacy is a specialized pharmacy fit-out within the existing one-storey building at the corner of Bowness Road and 64 Street NW in Calgary. Integrated within the adjacent Bow Care Clinic, the pharmacy delivers a fully functional dispensing and compounding operation designed under the City of Calgary's MU-2 land use and the 2023 Alberta Building Code. The centerpiece of the project is a dedicated Level C compounding facility developed in strict compliance with the Alberta College of Pharmacy and NAPRA model standards.
Design Challenge
A Level C compounding environment requires precise architectural and mechanical coordination: a fume hood, a negative-pressure compounding room with controlled directional airflow, finishes appropriate for cleanroom conditions, and clear separation of compounding activities from general dispensing. Achieving this within a tenant space — coordinating the pressurization, ventilation, and exhaust systems across architectural and mechanical disciplines — required close, technically detailed collaboration.
Design Response
PiXEL Architecture acted as Prime Consultant and led the architectural, interior design, mechanical, and electrical disciplines from concept through completion. The mechanical design for the compounding environment — pressurization, ventilation, and exhaust — was tightly coordinated with the architectural layout to ensure code compliance, operational efficiency, and a successful Alberta College of Pharmacy inspection. The broader pharmacy layout includes secure drug storage, a Level A compounding counter, drug fridge, drop-off and pick-up stations, and an organized over-the-counter retail area, all arranged for efficient and safe workflow.
