Size15,200 square metres
OwnerGovernment of British Columbia, Royal BC Museum
Structural EngineerEquilibrium Consulting Inc.
Design Build ConsultantMaple Reinders
Wood SupplierKalesnikoff
Structural systemsMass timber hybrid
Project materialsCross-laminated timber (CLT)Glue-laminated timber
Located on the traditional ləḵʔəŋən (Lekwungen) Territory, this archives, research and collections building is one of the largest of its kind to use mass timber. It features the latest in fire-resistant wood construction to safeguard the province’s collections of over seven million culturally significant items and the B.C. Archives.
Situated on a three-hectare site in Royal Bay, the Royal BC Museum Provincial Archives, Research and Collections (PARC) Campus is a purpose-built, single-storey facility designed to serve as a secure repository for British Columbia’s (B.C.’s) cultural heritage while offering public access to the province’s collections and archives. It serves as the official archives of B.C., housing items ranging from dinosaur bones, historical books, First Nations ancestral belongings, flora, fauna and even a Rolls-Royce painted by John Lennon. The building’s design is driven by high-performance requirements for thermal control, humidity management and fire protection, ensuring the preservation of its unique and valuable contents.
Beyond its primary role as a storage and preservation facility, the building includes research labs, indoor and outdoor learning spaces and areas for community engagement. The campus houses diverse collections spanning botany, paleontology, modern history and First Nations studies, offering visitors unique opportunities to engage with the province’s rich history. The spacious, light-filled public areas provide a museum-like experience while allowing visitors to observe conservation work through interior windows and glazing. Exterior spaces, landscaped with native plants, foster ecological awareness and a deeper connection to local biodiversity.
The PARC Campus prioritizes inclusivity, meeting the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Gold standard. Its single-storey design eliminates vertical barriers, while features such as universal washrooms, braille signage and assistive listening technologies accommodate diverse visitor needs. Accessible parking and intuitive wayfinding further enhance the visitor experience, ensuring the facility is welcoming to all.
The PARC Campus features a hybrid mass timber structural system that combines a concrete foundation with CLT walls and ceilings, glulam posts and beams and select portions of DLT panels in exterior canopies. Architecturally, the exposed mass timber creates an inviting atmosphere, while its biophilic qualities support mental well-being by connecting occupants with nature.
As the first mass timber archives facility of its kind, the project team navigated unique code challenges and developed innovative solutions that balanced life safety, durability and performance in a highly regulated environment. Fire safety was a critical design consideration, given the building’s archival uses, and some specimens are stored in jars of flammable liquids. The facility features a four-hour fire-rated concrete wall system that separates public spaces from archives. The roof’s one-hour fire rating ensures that in the event of an external fire, embers cannot penetrate the building. Typically, roofs in Canada are not required to be fire-rated, and mass timber is used primarily for floors. However, due to the building’s sensitive contents, the mass timber roof has been designed with a one-hour fire rating. The structure is also classified as a post-disaster-rated building, meaning it is engineered to remain operational after an earthquake. The seismic system consists of large CLT shear walls and concrete walls, ensuring lateral stability.
The engineered wood components were prefabricated off-site, helping streamline construction timelines, reduce waste and ensure precision assembly. This accelerated construction minimized on-site disruptions and created a quieter, more efficient building process.
Rooted in ləḵʔəŋən culture, the PARC Campus reflects deep collaboration with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Indigenous Liaison Officers guided the integration of cultural elements throughout the project, from architectural influences to public art installations. The Marston family (respected Coast Salish artists) created three site-specific artworks to honour ləḵʔəŋən traditions. These include a large mural by Jane and Angela Marston, integrated into the building’s façade, along with complementary installations by Luke and John Marston. Outdoor gathering spaces, such as fire pits and circles, further incorporate First Nations cultural practices into the site’s design. Signage in the ləḵʔəŋən language enhances the campus’s cultural authenticity and educational value.
Beyond its extensive use of naturally renewable mass timber products, the Royal BC Museum PARC Campus is designed to meet CleanBC energy efficiency standards, reflecting its commitment to environmental stewardship. The building features a high-performance envelope with airtight construction and robust insulation, reducing heating and cooling demands. Designed for biophilic appeal and offering thermal mass benefits, select rammed earth walls are visible inside and outside the building and feature a double-wythe structure with insulation between layers. The facility utilizes B.C.’s renewable energy grid, lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Water conservation strategies include native plants that require minimal irrigation and rainwater management systems that enhance site resilience.
