Landscape project transforms Museum entrance, wins Award of Excellence

Posted on: 02/06/2011

Landscape project transforms Museum entrance, wins Award of Excellence

Gatineau, Quebec, June 2, 2011 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization is delighted to congratulate the landscape architects whose design is transforming the Museum’s Plaza from “hardscape” into beautifully textured prairie grassland. Their work on the project has been recognized with one of the prestigious 2011 Professional Awards of Excellence presented by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. The Society awarded Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc., in collaboration with Ædifica, Architecture et Design, a Regional Citation for Landscape Management.

The grassland gardens and curving walkways of the award-winning project reflect the original vision of the Museum’s architect, Douglas Cardinal. His design symbolizes the Canadian landscape at the end of the last Ice Age when humans first settled in the country’s interior. The Plaza—a broad, level space in front of the Museum’s main entrance—is meant to evoke the Great Plains of North America, which have been a route of human migration for thousands of years. In addition, the winding walkways conceived by the landscape architects complement the Museum’s signature, curvilinear design.

“This transformation of the Plaza is not only enhancing the symbolism of the space; it is also making the pedestrian approach to the Museum more attractive, more inviting and more environmentally friendly,” said David Loye, Acting, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “We thank the landscape architects for their wonderful design and congratulate them on receiving this award from their peers.”

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167

Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169

Fax: 819 776-7187