[BCMA] Royal BC Museum takes steps towards site redevelopment

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

December 15, 2016

The Royal BC Museum searches for an architect
for the first phase of site development

Victoria, BC-Today, the Royal BC Museum posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) on BC Bid<http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/>, inviting qualified architectural firms to nominate themselves for selection as the Architect of Record for the first phase of the museum and archives' site redevelopment, a project called "Treasures for Generations".

Once selected, the winning architectural firm will be tasked with developing a detailed plan for the redesign of Clifford Carl Hall-modernizing the space and providing a dynamic new showcase for the museum's Emily Carr collection, the largest and most comprehensive in the world.

"This is an exciting time for the Royal BC Museum, as we lay the groundwork to implement our vision of becoming a modern, 21st century museum and archives," says Prof. Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. "The winning candidate will be responsible for designing a dramatic reconfiguration of much of our public space, showcasing some of the most precious treasures of the seven million in our collection."

The redevelopment will also include the creation of a space, adjacent to the Emily Carr Gallery, called the Pacific Worlds Gallery. Pacific Worlds will showcase First Nations cultural treasures from the Royal BC Museum collections, and will emphasize BC's connections to the Pacific.

Both galleries were outlined in the original masterplan developed by John McAslan + Partners (JMP) in 2013. The office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers (omb) followed up with a Concept Design, based on the JMP masterplan, in November 2016.

While the RFP for the design of the Emily Carr and Pacific Worlds galleries is open, omb will continue its design work, overseeing the renovation of a space, currently used by Royal BC Museum staff for storage and work, into the Royal BC Museum Learning Centre. Most visitors know this room only as the area on the other side of the doors facing the Food Trucks.

With this phase of site redevelopment, visitors will experience significant upgrades in amenities throughout the Exhibition building's ground floor, including seismic interventions to secure collections, improved lighting and better seating.

The RFP will close on January 13, 2017. After a shortlist is drawn and interviews are complete, the Royal BC Museum expects to award the contract to the most qualified supplier in the week of January 23, construction of the Emily Carr and Pacific Worlds galleries to commence in the fall of 2017 with the redesigned spaces complete by December 2018.

If required, JMP and the engineering firm ARUP may provide guidance to the winning architectural firm to ensure the overarching spirit of the masterplan design is reflected in the first phase's final design.

The Royal BC Museum expects omb to oversee the complete renovation of the Royal BC Museum Learning Centre by April, 2017.

During renovations and new construction, the public will be able to visit the Royal BC Museum as usual. The exhibition spaces and permanent galleries will not be affected by construction.

About the Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum explores the province's human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Looking to the future, the Royal BC Museum will be a refreshed, modern museum, extending its reach far beyond Victoria as a world-class cultural venue and repository of digital treasures.


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Media contact:
Royal BC Museum Media Inquiries
250-387-5051
news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca<mailto:news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca>

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