The Canadian Museum of Civilization Plaza, by Claude Cormier Associates, Catinuae, Quebec, Canada. The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, takes its form from the expansive topography of the nation itself, with one end referring to the Canadian shield, the other evoking glaciers, and, in between, an esplanade mimicking the vast expanses of the prairies. The museum, known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization when it opened in 1989, was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal. His drawings for the project sought to emphasize the Canadian landscape, with a pavilion representing glaciers on one end and, on the other, the earth’s crust exposed at the surface in the region called the Canadian Shield.
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
Inspired by the Forms of the Canadian Landscape
The team was inspired by the architecture of the building and by the meaning of its curves in the landscape. They decided to reinterpret the plaza as a vast meadow with soft, delicate curves – a landscape style also present in Canada.
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
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The choice of grass reflects a very contemporary character and also reflects the need for low-level vegetation so as not to affect the landscape opening on the other side. An additional advantage to this arrangement is that it creates a microclimate in the city, increasing biodiversity and improving air quality while offering passers-by a quality public space in all seasons.
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
Photo credit: Canadian Museum of Civilization by Claude Comier Associates
