The Markham Museum Collections building is an expansion on to the existing Visitor’s Centre and forms the “Gateway” to the Markham Museum Pioneer Village.

The architectural design is a modern interpretation of the industrial and agricultural heritage for the Town. The initial design stage was to create a Master Plan for the entire site and Facility Program (with EDA), including the long term development of the Pioneer Village which is programmed with a variety of community, family, and school programming year round.

The new building was built using prefabricated steel structures for maximum area with minimum cost. The final result is reminiscent of a 19th Century barn. The new Markham Museum houses a substantially enlarged collection, previously in storage, and forms the anchor for the surrounding municipal heritage park. Features of the Collections Building include permanent and rotating collection spaces, restoration studios, administrative spaces and food service amenities.

As part of the City’s overall Green Building Initiative, the Collections Building was to achieve a minimum level of LEED® Silver Certification. The project was awarded LEED® Gold in March 2014.

The Master Plan for the park was developed at the beginning of the project to enhance educational programming, determine the location for the Collections Building, and develop long-term goals for the site. The new building accommodates covered outdoor activity space for students and other visitors.

LOCATION

Markham, Ontario

COMPLETED

2010

SIZE

16,000 ft²

SERVICES

Renovation & Addition

PHOTOGRAPHY

David Whittaker