Royal BC Museum Appoints International Architect

by Jonathan McGaha | March 21, 2013 12:00 am

The Royal BC Museum[1] has appointed the international award‐winning lead architect John McAslan + Partners,[2] London, with local support from Merrick Architecture, Victoria, British Columbia, to create a master plan which will lay the foundation for the renewal of British Columbia’s museum and archives.

The master plan is expected to set the framework for a realistic, functional and affordable future development given today’s economic climate.

Future development of the Royal BC Museum site will be guided by the master plan, which will
identify opportunities inherent within the site and its surroundings. The ideas formulated by
the plan will capture both the physical space needs of a modern museum and archives and
growing visitor expectations, while reflecting the British Columbian and Canadian context. The
community will continue to be involved in the master planning phase through forums, focus
groups or meetings which will be announced at a later date.

“This is an important next step for the museum, and we are delighted to be working with John
McAslan and Paul Merrick on this exciting project. Their approach is always thoughtful, clear
and highly professional. John McAslan has worked on master plans for Tate Britain, the Royal
Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music and Dulwich College. They are also preparing
plans for the Museum of London, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, the
Burrell Collection, Glasgow, and a new cultural quarter in Doha, Qatar, including the design of
four new and restored heritage museums. Their work shows great strength in resolving
complicated and often sensitive planning and design issues with creating better use of existing
space,” said Professor Jack Lohman, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal BC Museum.

The Royal BC Museum looks after more than 7 million objects, artifacts and records – one of the
largest, most diverse collections in Canada. A critical outcome of this master site plan is to
identify and create the opportunity for a purpose‐built collections facility, which will enable the
Royal BC Museum to preserve and protect BC’s human and natural history and archival
collections for future generations.

In addition to the master plan, McAslan + Partners will design reinvigorated threshold
entrances and a lecture theatre within the existing footprint of the exhibition building.

This world‐class team is the result of an international search, and was chosen from many
talented firms around the world through a rigorous RFQ/RFP process led by the BC
Government’s Purchasing Services Branch.

John McAslan, lead architect, said “We are thrilled to have been selected by the Royal BC
Museum to lead the transformation of this renowned and historic institution, in one of the most
beautiful parts of the world.”

Paul Merrick from Merrick Architecture[3] added, ʺBeing invited to join the talented team
assembled by John McAslan + Partners is a once in a lifetime opportunity to both help the Royal
BC Museum chart a course into the future, while honouring our collective past.”

John McAslan + Partners is leading a multi‐disciplinary team of consultants for this Royal BC
Museum project: Merrick Architecture, Victoria; Office of Mcfarlane Biggar architects +[4]
designers[5], Vancouver; ARUP[6], Seattle; and Donald Luxton & Associates[7], Vancouver.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/daily-news/royal-bc-museum-appoints-international-architect/

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