French River Visitors Centre
Philip Beesley with Baird Sampson Neuert Architects Inc.
Alban, Ontario, CAN 2003
The new Ontario Parks Interpretive Centre at the French river was developed as a major gateway to northern Ontario. Vase movements of water and ice, and stories of many cultures passing through this ancient place from the core themes of the exhibit. The design features an expressive ‘topography’ of folded stone and lightweight screens that evoke the river and surrounding landscape. Interactive exhibitry for children and acoustic environments offing multiple stories from historic characters are included. Philip Beesley and Dieter Janssen collaborated in design of the $1M gallery in association with Baird Sampson Neuert Architects. The project was recognized by the Governor General’s Medal for Architecture in 2006.