[BCMA] International Architect, Royal BC Museum

Tue Mar 19 11:36:03 PDT 2013

[cid:image003.png at 01CE2495.EF4B0040]                              NEWS RELEASE

March 19, 2013

Royal BC Museum Appoints International Architect

Victoria, BC - The Royal BC Museum has appointed the international award-winning lead architect John McAslan + Partners (London, UK), with local support from Merrick Architecture (Victoria, BC), to create a master site plan which will lay the foundation for the renewal of British Columbia's museum and archives.

The master site 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 site 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 site plans for Tate Britain, the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music and Dulwich College. They are also preparing plans for the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, and a new cultural quarter in Doha, Qatar, including the design of four new and restored 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 site plan, McAslan + Partners will design a reinvigorated lobby entrance and 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 added, "Being 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 + designers, Vancouver; ARUP, Seattle; and Donald Luxton & Associates, Vancouver.

About the Royal BC Museum
As the provincial museum and archives, the Royal BC Museum preserves and shares the stories of British Columbia - on-site, off-site and online - through its research, collections, exhibitions, publications and educational programs.  Its two-hectare cultural precinct in Victoria also includes a number of historically significant buildings and First Nations sites.

For more information about the Royal BC Museum, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
or call 1-888-447-7977.

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Media contact:
Royal BC Museum Media Enquiries
250-387-3207
news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

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