Celebrating the memory of a true architect of community
The sky was never the limit for Martin Cohos — it was the canvas he used to bring ideas to life. Mr. Cohos, known to all at SAIT as Marty, was a visionary architect, world traveler, and business and community leader who spent his life building spaces where people could feel welcome and connected to the community. A glance across Calgary’s city skyline reveals some of the architectural achievements he helped to realize, including Bankers Hall, Eau Claire Market, Western Canada Place and Rogers Court.
“Marty was a visionary,” shares colleague and friend Chito Pabustan. “Marty had a beautiful mind — a clear mind. It was that mind that I fell in love with, full of life, full of vim and full of ideas. His love of life and his way of thinking were contagious.”
Marty believed that one must always give back with great enthusiasm whether it is time, money or talent. He was a supporter of many organizations such as the Calgary Planning Commission, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, United Way, Calgary Hebrew School, and Jewish Community Foundation. Marty leant his professional expertise to a number of initiatives as well, serving as an advisor to the Banff Centre, the Glenbow Museum, Pier 21 in Halifax and the Salvation Army Summer Camp.
Inspired effect
Marty was also a true believer in education and a champion of student success at SAIT. He began teaching architectural classes in 1959 and later served on the SAIT Board of Governors from 1991 - 1997. He volunteered his time to lead the development of several campus buildings, including the transformational Trades and Technology Complex, a project which he worked on with Pabustan.
When reflecting on the experience of working with Marty on the project, Pabustan shares “[It was] inspiring and nerve-racking … His enthusiasm was addictive and I kept working for it. He had that invigorating effect on all that worked on the TTC.”
Shaping campus life
In 2001, SAIT dedicated the Cohos Commons field to him in recognition of his significant contributions to the SAIT community and in 2007, he was a SAIT honorary degree recipient. During his address to the class of 2007, Marty shared some advice “You can’t control much of life but you do own your attitude. It’s yours, be positive, be curious, be optimistic. Be passionate.”
In 2008, to mark the magnitude of his dedication to SAIT, he was the first recipient of a new honour, the President’s Volunteer Award. Marty’s legacy lives on in so many ways on campus, from buildings, to the Cohos Commons Field, dedication to the community, SAIT and student success endures in the Martin Cohos scholarship.
“Marty Cohos had a long history with SAIT, and he — quite literally — helped shape our campus. You just need to look at our Trades and Technology Complex to see his incredible vision for the future of student success at SAIT and a vibrant Calgary community. I offer my deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.” – Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO.
His influence on SAIT’s campus design will stand as a testament to his generous, passionate and kind spirit of excellence.
Memorial donations in honour of Marty may be made online or by mail.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.