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The Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton has served as an educational venue hosting a wide range of natural history and anthropology exhibits since it was established in 1967. As the museum's collections grew over the years, it became clear that a more modern and much larger home was needed. In late 2015, its long-standing placement in the residential area of Glenora came to an end, as the museum shuttered its doors in preparation for its move downtown.
Construction of the new facility started in 2014 on land previously occupied by a Canada Post distribution centre. The $375.5 million (CAD) project — which is jointly funded by the Province of Alberta and Government of Canada — will ultimately become the largest museum in western Canada. The 419,000-square-foot structure will include more than 82,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition space, which is double the size of the existing museum. In addition to gallery spaces, the museum will also host a cafe, outdoor patio, shop, and lush outdoor gardens.
While the building takes on an architectural identity of its own, it also pays homage to the former post office by borrowing specific design elements. The square Ernestine Tahedl mosaic murals, which were commissioned by the federal government in 1966, will maintain their original position on the facade. The previous building's terrazzo flooring and Tyndall limestone panels will also be incorporated into the cafe's outdoor courtyard. The DIALOG-designed building features a grand central lobby, where visitors begin their unique gallery experiences.
Photos of the construction captured by Daveography portray the project in its current stage. Structural steel installation has been completed, while the roofing and exterior stone panel application is currently underway. Though the building itself will be finished in 2016, it will take time to move the thousands of artifacts and acclimatize the new location. Museum staff hope to reopen in late 2017 or early 2018.
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