That’s SAIT?!

Any given day at SAIT, you might find labs full of welding torches, classrooms with CPR dummies and kitchens laden with chocolate statues, but you may also find…mushroom zombies.

Wait. What?

No, we aren’t harbouring any sentient strains, but our campus did undergo a dystopian transformation as one of the sets of HBO’s hit The Last of Us.

Take a closer look and see if you recognize any of the spaces. It’s not all doom and shroom around here either — in a total 180, SAIT also makes a lovely venue for weddings and holiday parties. 

When you’re planning your next event (or smash hit TV show) think of SAIT, and check out five times campus transformed into something completely different — in order of spookiest to dreamiest.

The Last of Us

If your experience watching The Last of Us — the 2023 HBO series based off the PlayStation games — included shouting “Hey, I know that place!”, you’re not alone.

Whether you’re watching for the first time or planning a re-watch, squint past the decay to see Senator Burns’ staff room, the seating area in front of The Odyssey Café and The Station Market and even a totally-not-menacing fourth floor hallway.

Check out all of the places HBO worked their magic on campus.

Student film projects

Students from our Film and Video Production Diploma gain hands-on experience writing compelling narratives, editing and producing films and directing films. Sometimes, that means transforming our very own campus into a place of dreams — a romantic dinner with the skyline glowing behind — or of nightmares, as in the case of many of 2024’s student productions.

While some of the most dramatic transformations take place in these genre-bending scenes, it’s possible to rent out SAIT spaces for filming. In stark contrast to the danger of zombies and horror, we’ve even hosted safety companies on campus to film commercials in our labs.

Fitness for the masses

School’s not just for sitting. SAIT has transformed some of its public spaces for even the most athletic visitors.

Macdonald Hall’s had a “glow up” — just not the kind you’re thinking of. With black-lights installed overhead, participants lit up in a glow-in-the-dark yoga class. Not what you’d expect from this iconic heritage room! And our Irene Lewis Atrium was also converted once into a mega-spin studio for Make Some Noise for Mental Health. You’d never guess that, past all those peddling feet, this is a space used for conferences and even award ceremonies.

Holiday Parties

Is it the North Pole? Nope, just SAIT! Every winter, Calgary company employees flock to our buildings for unforgettable holiday parties. And not just for adults—we’ve hosted holiday parties for families too, taking kidlets all the way from Calgary to Santa’s Workshop. Behind a mask of winter magic, you’ll be transported into a wonderland.

Weddings

With our picturesque skyline view and heritage buildings, wedding ceremonies held at SAIT are a photographer’s (and couple’s) dream. The different spaces around campus allow couples to capture photos in front of Heritage Hall’s distinctive historical façade, then head down into the parkade (yes, trust us) for clean lines and drama.

Our on-campus event spaces include intimate, traditional settings as well as larger venues that can host large wedding parties comfortably. And did we mention Curated Catering by Hotel Arts can provide your food essentials? Mmm.