WEST VANCOUVER MUSEUM

Art • Architecture • Design

DESIGN BRIEF REPORT

rts

Urban
Architecture • Urban Design
WEST VANCOUVER MUSEUM
Art • Architecture • Design

DESIGN BRIEF REPORT

SUBMITTED BY:
Urban Arts Architecture

PRIMARY CONTACT:
Jennifer Marshall, MAIBC
Urban Arts Architecture
#401 134 Abbott Street
Vancouver, BC, V6B 2K4

t. 604-683-5060
f. 604-683-5065
e. marshall@urban-arts.ca

DATE:
June 2009
rts

Urban
Architecture • Urban Design
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 DESIGN BRIEF OVERVIEW 1

Introduction

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 3
Design Principles
Interior Design Considerations
Education + Programming Strategy
Staffing Strategy
Technical Requirements for a Class A Museum

3 SPACE PROGRAM 13
Space Program Overview
Space Program Summary Chart
Detailed Space Program

4 DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 33
Site Development Requirements
Minimum Site Area Required

6 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN BRIEF
Introduction
The following Design Brief sets out the design considerations,
detailed space program, and site development requirements for
the proposed new Museum.

The program is derived from the Community Vision, the

Museum's functions of collection, exhibition, and education, as
Programming and Staffing strategies. Refer to West Vancouver
Museum - A Vision for Ambleside Report for details.

1 DESIGN BRIEF OVERVIEW 1

Create a showcase for sustainable architecture - a learning tool for the community.
Whistler Public Library
Hughes Condon Marler Architects

2 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Design Principles:
Key design concepts that emerged during the research and
consultation process, include:

Create an ENGAGING Community Cultural

facility that:
• captures the vitality of the West Vancouver community,
• is warm, welcoming, and accessible,
• has a high degree of visibility,
• supports diverse events including celebratory & day-to-
day activities,
• provides much needed cultural facilities improvements
for youth and seniors alike,
• is a dramatic architectural expression rooted in the
values of Westcoast modernism, and
• creates a unique and engaging place which can become the
heart of the community.

Create a CONTEXTUALLY APPROPRIATE

Community place that:
• creates a sense of address and entry,
• capitalizes on its location at the edge between the
waterfront and the community,
• provides connectivity with other cultural facilities in
community,
• captures the spectacular views of the water and
mountains, and,
• supports the scale of the built fabric of commercial
and residential buildings.

Create an ECOLOGICAL Community facility

that:
• is a showcase for sustainable architecture - a
learning tool for the community,
• celebrates modernist heritage through innovative
sustainable strategies expressed and exhibited
didactically,
• has a sustainable development strategy that is customized
to the site, environmental conditions, and climate; uses
local building materials and indigenous plants; achieving a
minimum rating of LEED Gold, and
• is a healthy place to work in and visit.

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 3
4 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE
Interior Design Considerations
Ambience
The interior ambience of the Museum will be:
• welcoming, friendly, warm
• empowering of users
• exciting and architecturally expressive
• dignified
• enriching of visitor experience
• visually connected to the exterior especially mountain and
water views

Organization/Layout
Organize Museum spaces to facilitate ease of navigation and
orientation. The Museum shall be laid out with the following
considerations:
• orientation - clearly legible and logical spaces. Use
architecture to clearly orient and define layout.
• circulation to be efficient and intuitive
• ease of supervision and security of facility by staff
• isolate noisy areas, activities, and circulation routes from
quiet zones
• make use of corners/alcoves as un-programmed social areas
• ensure key program areas have expansion capacity built in.
• layout to allow for flexibility in use through time.

Quality of Light
Use light to highlight architecture and support navigation thru the
facility. Lighting is critical to the success of the Museum. It must: MOMA< New York
• be highly functional and flexible in all potential exhibit areas
• utilize natural lighting wherever possible and appropriate,
• help users understand the space by defining different areas
• be warm and exciting, not gloomy or over lit
• be energy efficient
• highlight architecture and space
• vary in type specific to task

Bellevue Art Museum MALBA, Buenos Aires

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 5
 
Museum 
Membership 

Board 
 

= Current Staffing 
 
Board 
= Future Configuration  Executive 
 

 Committees  Committees 

Director 
 

Business  Resource 
Curator  Development  Programs 
Services 

Marketing & 
Public Art Community  Exhibition
Collections  Communica‐ Volunteers  Membership  Grants  Education  Events 
    tions   Arts  s 

6 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

Staffing Strategy:
MUSEUM STAFFING:
In order to fulfill the Mandate, the new Museum will require
a compliment of professional staff with the following areas of
responsibility:

• Director
- Administrative Assistance

• Curatorial 12 Museum staff,

- Collections Management 11 Cultural Services staff
- Exhibit Design + Preparation 4 Museum Volunteers
3 Cafe staff
• Programs
- Education
- Community Arts
- Exhibitions
- Events

• Business Services
- Communications + Marketing
- Volunteer Coordination

• Resource Development
- Membership
- Grants
- Other Fundraising

Other staff required either on contract or employed are:

• Cafe + Shop staff
• Security
• Maintenance

A modest Museum facility will require the following staffing:

12 Museum Staff augmented by 80 Volunteers and contracting
out for special exhibitions for curator and exhibit design.

CULTURAL SERVICES:
In addition to space required by Museum staffing, the Museum
will also house the offices for the District's Cultural Affairs
Department.

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 7
 Education + Programming Strategy:
The Museum intends to expand its current programming, but in
the interests of keeping a focus on its mandate, does not intend
to become a comprehensive arts education facility like Arts
Umbrella or the Lucas Centre.

Education programs will be provided in a Multi-purpose room

that will support a wide range of activities from lectures to
messy art work fabrication.

8 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

Requirements for a Class A Museum
Professional Affiliation and Standards:
The Museum works within a network of cultural institutions
as a member of the Canadian Museums Association, the
British Columbia Museums Association and other national and
international professional organizations.

The Museum must follow professional standards and ethics in

relation to its activities and established by these organizations.
The Museum’s governance model, standards, policies, physical
infrastructure and professional staffing contingent make the
Museum eligible for operating support from the B.C. Arts Council,
project grants from the Canada Council and other government
granting agencies.

This structure also enables the Museum to borrow works from

other public institutions and collections for exhibition purposes
supporting research and development of professionally curated
exhibitions. The Museum is the only cultural facility in the
community working within this capacity.

Physical Infrastructure Technical Requirements:

A Museum's environment must meet stringent environmental
(light, air quality, humidity, and temperature), security, and fire
protection requirements to enable it to provide a proper place to
house collections, bring in outside exhibits, and exhibit safely.

Collections Location:
Location of the Collection Storage also is critical. Storage
of collections is traditionally relegated to the basement.
Subterranean locations are susceptible to flooding, potentially
endangering the collection. The location of Collections Storage
should be at a level above ground or that is impervious to
flooding, and steps taken to ensure good physical communication
with other functions (elevators, wide doors, high ceilings, etc.).

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 9
 1. Conservation Environmental Requirements
Conservation requirements for a Class A facility environment
are based on 2003 ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook
"Chapter 21 - Museums, Libraries, and Archives" and can be
summarized as follows:

Relative Humidity: 50 ± 5% RH year-round in Collection

areas [Class AA]

Air Cleanliness: 90~95% efficiency particulate filtration,

with a pre/medium filter bank, with the
possible replacement of the medium
with pleated media activated carbon
gaseous filters.

Light Levels: 50 lux for high-sensitivity artifacts.

150 - 200 lux for medium-sensitivity
artifacts.
300 lux for low and negligible sensitivity
artifacts.
200 lux at 3 feet above finished floor
(AFF) in collection.

maximum of 10 μWatts/lumen of UV
light at the above lux levels

Colour Rendering Index (CRI) a minimum

of 85 Ra (rendering average)

Infrared heating: Avoid direct sunlight exposure and

control electric light to the above
lux levels.

Temperature: 22 ± 0.5° C year round, or dropping to
as low as 18 ± 0.5° possibly rising to as
high as 24 ± 0.5° C summer.

2. Fire Protection Requirements:

Water based sprinkler systems for fire protection should not be
permitted in galleries or store-rooms housing museum collections.
Fire-fighting systems now exist that utilize halon (a fluoro-
hydrocarbon gas), for quenching fires the moment that heat or
smoke detectors are activated. Halon systems of advanced design
are increasingly in use in museums.

the Fire Commissioner of Canada's Fire Protection Standards

for Museums (NFPA 911) are currently under review and
due for release shortly. The interim guideline is NFPA 911,
Recommended Practice for Museums and Museum Collections.

10 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

3. Security Requirements:
Security requirements for a Class A facility are summarized as
follows:

A security system should be provided to protect the collection

from theft and vandalism. Exterior openings should be protected
with magnetic switches and glass breakage detectors, interior
spaces by verified passive infrared detectors. Reinforced heavy
duty insulated and thermally broken hollow metal exterior doors
and reinforced heavy duty hollow metal interior doors guarding
collection spaces should be secured with 6-pin tumbler deadbolt
locks with at least a 25mm throw, or panic hardware with
vertically firing pins.

If staff, whether paid or volunteer, are not available to supervise

all exhibit locations during all open hours, then a closed circuit
television (CCTV) security system may be required. Colour CCD
(Close Coupled Discharge) cameras are recommended.

Door hinges for emergency exit doors must be on the exterior

because these doors have to open out, therefore NRP (Non-
Removable Pin) hinges need to be specified. The slide bars for
any overhead doors need to be equipped with padlocks.

A three-level security programme should be implemented:

The outer level of security (level 3) would consist of the site and
building perimeter monitoring, the internal intrusion detection
system, the interior space surveillance system, exterior lighting,
and physical deterrents such as locks, bars, security grilles, anti-
ram barriers, etcetera. Much of the detection system would be
inactive during open hours since it would be for the protection of
public spaces.

The second level of security (level 2) would protect non-public

areas and also non-collection areas, i.e. work spaces and offices
in which no artifacts would be left unattended by staff. These
spaces would be alarmed when the institution is closed. These
spaces could be alarmed when level 3 areas are open.

The highest level of security (level 1) provides twenty-four-hour

protection which can only be deactivated remotely by a second
person on instruction by an authorized person. This system
would protect areas such as collection storage. This may not be
practical with the small staff envisaged for this facility, therefore
key control, and separate zoning and arming codes for the
storage area intrusion detection system would be
advisable.

2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 11
 WATER VIEW

LOADING

Sculpture Court
Multi-purpose:
Education +
Community Storage
Meeting
Preparation
+ Storage
Storage
Exhibition

Cafe
Lobby Administration

Orientation
Meeting
Shop

PUBLIC PUBLIC
ACCESS ACCESS

STREET

SPACE PROGRAM ADJACENCIES

The adjacencies between the main Program components can be
LEGEND: described by the diagram above. This diagram also represents
WATER
VIEW the relative sizes of each program element.
VIEW
IN
DIRECT
ACCESS

12 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

SPACE PROGRAM
Space Program Overview
The development of this Design Brief for the West Vancouver 1.0 General Public Spaces
Museum of Art, Architecture and Design is focussed on the • Lobby/Gallery
• Reception/Control
following key components, which were defined through a
• Sculpture Court
process of consultation with the Museum Curator Darrin • Cafe
Morrison: The Space Program is broken into the following main • Cafe Kitchen
components: • Museum Shop

2.0 Curatorial
Program Components •
•
Orientation Gallery
Exhibition Gallery
• Storage
1.0 General Public Spaces 215m2 • Digital Display

2.0 Curatorial 625m2 3.0 Education + Community Meeting
• Multi Purpose/Lecture/Studio
• Storage
3.0 Education + Community Meeting 205m2
• Conference Room

4.0 Preparation & Storage 585m2 4.0 Preparation & Storage

• Clean Preparation
5.0 Administration 355m2 • Messy Preparation/Workshop
• Prep Office
• Loading
6.0 Service Spaces 155m2 • Holding
• Collections Research
Net Building Area 2,140m2 • Collections Storage
Gross Building Area 2,610m2
5.0 Administration
• Reception
Breakdown of Program •
•
Director's Office
Curator Offices x 4
The following is a breakdown of the above overall program into • Cultural Services Manager
its funding components: • Staff Offices x 4
• Open Workstations
A. Core Museum 1,525m2 • Server/Tech Room
Including Lobby, Curatorial, Preparation, Storage, and • Library
Administration spaces. • Volunteers Room
• Staff Lounge
• Storage
B. District Cultural Services Offices 195m2 • Workroom
Provision of Staff offices with shared support facilities.
6.0 Service
C. Multi-purpose /Community Meeting 210m2 • Washrooms
Revenue generation through rentals. • Staff WC + Showers
• Mechanical
• Janitor
D. Value Added Spaces 100m2
Museum Shop, Cafe, and Kitchen.

E. Shared Spaces 155m2

Including Washrooms, Mechanical etc.

3 SPACE PROGRAM 13
Space Program Summary Chart

West Vancouver DRAFT PROGRAM

Museum of Art, Architecture + Design

SPACES metres2 feet2

GENERAL PUBLIC
Lobby/Gallery 100 1,076
Reception/Control 14 151
Sculpture Court 0 0 exterior space strogly connected to interior spaces
Café 45 484 30 café seats
Café Kitchen 20 215
Shop 35 377
TOTAL GENERAL PUBLIC 214 2,303

CURATORIAL
Orientation Gallery 50 538 suitable for up to 60 children
Exhibition 550 5,918 FLEXIBLE + demisable
Storage 15 161 gallery + wall storage
TOTAL GATHERING SPACE 615 6,617

COMMUNITY MEETING (RENTAL) / EDUCATION

Multipurpose Room/Lecture 100 1,076150 lecture, combine w/ Lecture & Orientation for100 seat banquet
Kitchen (catering) 15 161
Storage 30 323
Conference Room 60 646 25 person mtg
TOTAL COMMUNITY MEETING 205 2,206

PREPARATION & STORAGE

Clean Preparation 65 699
Messy Preparation/Workshop 30 323
Prep Office 9.3 100
Shipping + Receiving 20 215 Secure - could be unheated
Holding 20 215
Collections Research 20 215 possibly visible to public
Vault 420 4,519 includes 50% expansion capacity
TOTAL BACK OF HOUSE 584.3 6,287

14 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

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Urban Arts Architecture
Space Program Summary Chart

West Vancouver DRAFT PROGRAM

Museum of Art, Architecture + Design

ADMINISTRATION 11 Museum staff work areas, 10 Cultural Services staff

Reception 15 161 2 SWS
Director's Office 14 151
Curator Art 9.3 100
Curator Architecture + Design 9.3 100
Assistant Curator 9.3 100
Education Curator 9.3 100
Open Workstations 30 323 Task specific 5 open workstns @ 6 sq. m.
Collections Manager, Exhibit Designer, Communications/Marketing,
Admin Assist., General
Cultural Services Manager's Office 15 161
Office 9.3 100
Office 9.3 100
Office 9.3 100
Office 9.3 100
Open Workstations 30 323 Task specific 5 open workstns @ 6 sq. m.
Server/Tech Room 7 75
Library 13 140 2 x 20' walls of full height shelving
Volunteers Room 15 161 includes 1 wall of full height storage & kitchenette (fridge & kettle)
Staff Lounge 20 215 includes kitchenette
Storage 9.3 100
Work Room 11 118 30 mailboxes, docucentre, paper supplies
Net Admin 253.7 2,730
Circulation (Admin)1:1.40 101.5 1,092
TOTAL ADMINISTRATION 355.2 3,822

SERVICE
Public Washrooms 120 1,291
Staff WC + Showers 20 215
Janitors' Closet 5 54
Mechanical Room 30 323
TOTAL SERVICE 155 1,668

SUBTOTAL 2138.5 23,010

CIRCULATION /WALLS
ratio .22 470 5,062
TOTAL 2608.9 28,072

CWS=computer work-station
SWS=staff work-station

3 SPACE PROGRAM 15
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Urban Arts Architecture
 Detailed Space Program
1.0 General Public

1.1 Lobby: 100m2 - 1076ft2

General Description:
Space for entry and reception. Clearly organized, highly
visible to the street, exciting space.

Could have capacity for exhibition.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Cafe, Shop, Orientation Gallery, Exhibition, Multi-
Purpose, Washrooms.

1.2 Reception / Control: 14m2 - 151ft2

General Description:
Housed within the Lobby, a welcome desk to provide first
point of contact for Museum visitors.

Dynamic exciting space draws Information point for all elements of the Museum.
visitors up into exhibition spaces.
MOMA Lobby
Relationship Adjacencies:
Front door, access to Exhibition.

1.3 Sculpture Plaza:

General Description:
Conceived as an important highly public venue for
exhibitions, gatherings, and education programming.

Possibly accessible 24/7 by public.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Lobby, Orientation Gallery, Cafe, Multi-purpose Room,
View to the water

MOMA Sculpture Court

16 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

1.4 Cafe + Cafe Kitchen: 45m2 - 484ft2
General Description:
30 cafe seats. This space needs to be operated by a
first class operator such as Thomas Haas. The facility is
intended to be a cafe that is elegant and simple. Good
food, good view - value added experience for Museum.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Outdoor Sculpture Plaza, Entry, Reception Area,
Washrooms, Multi-purpose Room, Loading, Garbage.

The Cafe Kitchen should support the cafe as well as be

capable of catering lounge events such as openings and
receptions.

Create a dining experience - another reason to visit! Watermark restaurant on Kitsilano Beach

1.5 Museum Shop: 46m2 - 495ft2

General Description:
The shop is a space to provide added value in terms
of both visitor experience and revenue. It is also an
opportunity to promote design and art created in the
community. To do this successfully the items for sale
must be of the highest quality while providing a range
of price points in order to appeal to a wide range of
visitors. Lighting, graphics and display strategies should
be modern and minimal in aesthetic.

The MOMA shop is a successful example of such a

facility (pictured at right).

The shop should also have an online presence.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Entry/Lobby
Street front window

3 SPACE PROGRAM 17
 Elegant neutral flexible space MOMA gallery

Create display opportunities for a wide array of media from

design objects to two dimensional works, and digital media.
Gardiner Museum

Allow for the incorporation of interactive digital media.

18 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

2.0 Curatorial

2.1 Orientation Gallery: 50m2 - 538ft2

General Description:
This space is intended to provide a pre-show function to
orient visitors prior to entering the main exhibit areas.
Suitable for up to 60 children.

Access to views and daylight.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Exhibition, Entry Lobby, Reception, Washrooms

Ceiling height:
5m

2.2 Exhibition Gallery: 550m2 - 6,000ft2

General Description:
Exhibition space that is neutral warm with finishes that are
enduring and well detailed. The design of this space should
reflect the values of Westcoast modernism.

Space can be divided onto two floors if required, in a 1/3

above 2/3 on main floor proportion.

Class "A" light and environment controlled exhibition space

that is flexible and demisable.

Provide capacity for interactive and digital media.

Lighting is critical. To be highly flexible and of the best

quality.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Entry Lobby, Orientation Gallery, Preparation/Vault/
Collections area.

Ceiling height:
6.5m

2.3 Storage: 30m2 - 323ft2

General Description:
Storage for plinths, walls and other display related items.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Exhibition Gallery.

3 SPACE PROGRAM 19
 Interconnect with visitor experience. Surrey Art Gallery Education space

Multipurpose Space - an elegant space with a fantastic view and great acoustics.
Burlington Discovery Centre Bellevue Art Museum

20 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

3.0 Multi-purpose: Education + Community Meeting

3.1 Multipurpose/Studio/Lecture: 110m2 - 1184ft2

General Description:
Multi-purpose room to host a variety of activities
including:
• Education Programs
• Lectures and audio visual presentations
• Meetings
• Rentals for special occasions

Capacity for 50 lecture seats.

To be openable to combine with Orientation to provide
capacity for 100 seat banquet.
Dividable into smaller areas.

A space to actively engage in creative production that

links to the tradition of artist studios. Messy and clean
studio areas with Sink, studio tables and lots of storage.
Incorporate capacity for computers.

Visible from street and possibly the Lobby.

Open onto Sculpture Court for outdoor programming.

Well lit with natural light, access to fresh air.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Lobby, Sculpture Court, Orientation, Kitchen, Washrooms
Studio Space Frye Art Museum
Ceiling height:
5m

3.2 Multi-Purpose Storage: 50m2 - 387ft2

General Description:
3 rooms @ 10m2 storage for studio activities, supporting
education programs.
Storage for tables & chairs for events.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Orientation & Multi-purpose Room

3.3 Conference Room: 60m2 - 646ft2

General Description:
25 person meeting room with audio visual capacity for
use by community, Municipality, and Museum for booked
meetings.
Acoustics and lighting to suit meeting function.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Administration, Lobby

Ceiling height:
4m

3 SPACE PROGRAM 21
 4.0 Preparation & Storage

4.1 Curatorial Workroom: 65m2 - 699f2
General Description:
The curatorial workroom primarily include the following
functions:
• the preparation area for any exhibits or events, and
• screening and registration/processing area of
incoming objects.
• staff work area for detailed restoration work on
archival material.

The space will include floor space for prepping objects,

clean work area with a large prep table, a wet area and
built in lockable millwork storage for supplies, equipment
and temporary object storage. One computer work
station will be located within the space.

The space will accommodate up to 4 people.

Activities will include the following:,

• registration/documentation/processing objects for
inclusion in the collection
• examination, registration, cataloguing, condition
reporting, and studio photography
• holding area for uncrated objects borrowed for
temporary exhibition
• maintenance of documentation files
• control of paperwork for travelling exhibitions

Relationship Adjacencies:
Shipping, Exhibition Galleries, Administration

Ceiling height:
3.6m

Special Requirements:
• Class A environmental conditions
• Level 2 security
• Doors: 1800 X 2750 mm (6’ x 9’) double door
• Safety: Eye Wash Station and First Aid Station
• Lighting: General fluorescent illumination + Task
lighting
• Power: extra electrical outlets and circuits, some with
GFI protection multiple lighting circuits individually
switched
• Millwork: Built in millwork + large prep table
• Secure Storage supplies storage in locking cabinets
NOTE: no liquid containing pipes allowed in this space
except sprinkler pipes and pipes serving sinks and
equipment located within this space

22 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

4.2 Messy Preparation/Workshop: 37m2 - 400f2
General Description:
Maintenance workshop for exhibition equipment and
preparation of some exhibit background material.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Shipping and Receiving, Holding, Curatorial Workroom,
Administration
Ceiling height:
3.6m

Special Requirements:
• Class B Environmental Control
• Doors: 1800 X 2750mm (6’ x 9’) double door
• Security: Level 3 security
• Sound insulation: min STC 45
• Lighting: Daylight + General indirect
• Millwork: Built in workbench and wall counter, storage
cabinets, some locking, for tools and materials.
• Furniture: 4’ x 8’ work table with 3 adjustable chairs
• Equipment: CCTV for monitoring
Fume extraction system

Curatorial Workroom with Preparator's Office overlooking space.

Surrey Art Gallery

3 SPACE PROGRAM 23
 4.3 Prep Office: 9.3m2 - 100ft2
General Description:
Small Office for prepatory staff

Relationship Adjacencies:
Curatorial Workroom

Ceiling height:
3m

4.4 Holding: 50m2 - 538ft2

General Description:
Secure holding area for crated objects borrowed for
temporary exhibition


Relationship Adjacencies:
Loading, Curatorial Workroom

Ceiling height:
3.6m

4.5 Collections Research: 20m2 - 215ft2

General Description:
The Collections Research will be set up as an interactive
research space with 2 computer stations and a central
research work-table. Source material will be brought
to the space for review by the public. This space could
be accessed by the public for independent or group
research, available by appointment.

The Workroom could be visible from the Lobby thru a

glazed screen.

Functions include:
• Examination of source material
• Research
• Oral History recording and editing
• Archive/Collections access
• Miscellaneous education programming

Relationship Adjacencies:
Entry Lobby, Architectural Materials Storage, Admin

Special Requirements:
• Class AA Environmental Conditions
Collections research space accessible by • Lighting: General fluorescent illumination direct/
public is an important component of an indirect Task lighting
Museum that collects architectural work. • Millwork: Built in millwork for 2 CWS
• Security CCTV for monitoring
Level 2 security
• Furniture: 4’ x 8’ work table with 8 chairs

24 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

4.6a Collections Storage: *420m2 - 4519ft2
General Description:
Collections Storage will be Class A standard, for long
term, secure, low stress storage for artefacts ranging
from 2-D and 3-D art works, architectural models,
architectural drawings, and photographs.

Storage systems to be determined based on an inventory

of prospective collection items.

No natural daylighting permitted.

May be located in the Basement.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Direct access to Curatorial Workroom, Collections
Research, and Freight Elevator, with easy access to
Exhibition Galleries

Ceiling height:
u/s structure / mechanical above: min 3.6 m

Special Requirements:
• Class A environmental conditions
• Level 1 security Collection storage for framed works
• Lighting: fluorescent lights - low UV reading, task Frye Art Museum
lighting at work table, motion detector/timer control
of fluorescent lights. Fixture layout coordinated with
storage layout.
• Furniture/Equipment: - Storage system TBD
- Small workstation with computer
• Fire Rating: - 2 hour fire rated walls/ceiling/floor,
smoke detection/wet pipe sprinkler systems
(NOTE: no liquid containing pipes allowed in this
space except sprinkler pipes)
• Power: duplex receptacles only at examination table
for computer - to lessen fire hazard
• Telephone/intercom
• Hygrothermograph

* Includes 50% expansion capacity.

3 SPACE PROGRAM 25
 4.6b Architectural Materials Storage: 90m2 - 1000ft2
General Description:
A modest storage area within the Collections Storage
space for primary source material for architectural works
including:
- Architectural drawings
- Photographs, Negatives & Slides
- Film, Microfilm, & Video Tapes
- Oral History Tapes, Computer disks
- Architectural Models

Environmental Requirements:
• Environmental control: RH monitored & controlled
• Fresh air controlled by measurement of number of
occupants (CO2 sensor)
• Maintain positive pressure when compared with
outside
• Filtration: particulate ~ 30% efficient pre-filters and ~
90% efficient final filters
• Lux level: 200 lux at three feet AFF
• Lux level: minimum of 5 lux at three feet AFF for
CCTV security lighting
• Air conditioning; heating; humidification; air filtration
• Environmental monitoring - independent
environmental monitoring is to be provided by
standalone data loggers or 31-day recording
hydrothermographs.
• BMS (Building Management System) computer for
control of mechanical, monitoring, and lighting
equipment

Architectural models and design

objects take up a lot of space.
Collection of these materials will need
to be selective.

Setting up a model @ Storefront for

Architecture in NYC

26 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

4.7 Shipping & Receiving: 21m2 - 226ft2
General Description:
The shipping and receiving area will receive all
deliveries to the Museum. It will accommodate the safe
unloading and loading of crates, artifacts, and boxes of
archives materials for storage, exhibit installation and for
collections acquisitions, from and onto various sizes of
vehicles.

This space needs to be air locked from the museum

and have space to acclimatize artefacts for a few days.
Additional area will be required for acclimatization
to museum environmental conditions. Unpacking and
packing crates, and some adjacent crate storage area is
required. Storing material handling equipment

Overhead lockable Loading Door with man door

adjacent. Buzzer connected to phone system.

• Level 2 Security
• Overhead Door: 2.5m x 3m thermally broken,
insulated.
• Man door: 1.8m x 2.75m double doors - NRP
hinges, security light, buzzer, surveillance device,
thermally broken, insulated.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Museum Loading Dock, Holding, Curatorial Workrooms,
Freight Elevator, Vault
Ceiling height:
3.6m

3 SPACE PROGRAM 27
 5.0 Administration

The Administration areas should all be grouped together and

can be remote (ie on separate floor) from both exhibition and
collection areas, provided there is direct stair and elevator
access between.

Ceiling height of all Admin areas to be a minimum of 2.5m.

All workstations and offices have access to natural light and
fresh air.

SHARED/GENERAL FACILITIES
5.1 Reception: 20m2 - 215ft2
General Description:
Gatekeeper function for whole administration area.
Space to accommodate 2 staff workstations.

5.2 Server/Tech Room: 7m2 - 75ft2

General Description:
Secure room for Server with good ventilation, located in
the Administration area.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Administration Workroom, Offices

5.3 Staff Lounge: 20m2 - 215ft2

General Description:
Space for relaxation, informal meetings, and lunchroom.
To include a kitchenette with fridge, sink dishwasher and
microwave.
Relationship Adjacencies:

5.4 Storage: 9.3m2 - 100ft2

General Description:
The storage area will be a general storage area for files
and office supplies.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Workroom, Admin Reception

5.5 Work Room: 11m2 - 118ft2

General Description:
This space will include the document centre, fax, printers
and packaging area required to promote.
Relationship Adjacencies:
Offices, Admin Workstations, Server

Special Requirements:
30 mailboxes, docucentre, storage for paper + office
supplies.

28 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

MUSEUM STAFF OFFICES
5.6 Director's Office: 14m2 - 151ft2
General Description:
Executive office with space for desk and small
conference area for up to 4 people.

5.7 Curatorial Offices: 4 x 9.3m2 - 100ft2
General Description:
Individual offices of 9.3m2 - 100f2 for each of the
curators to accommodate desk, shelving, and guest
chair.
Offices are as follows:
a. Curator - Art
b. Curator - Architecture + Design
c. Assistant Curator
d. Education Curator

5.8 Open Workstations: 30m2 - 323ft2
General Description:
Open workstations for 5 support staff including:
Collections Manager, Exhibit Designer, Communications/
Marketing, Administrative Assistant, and General.

5.9 Library: 13m2 - 140ft2
General Description:
Library for Museum research materials, catalogues, etc.
2 x 20' walls of full height shelving.

CULTURAL SERVICES STAFF OFFICES

5.10 Cultural Services Manager's Office: 15m2 - 161ft2
General Description:
Executive office with space for desk and small
conference area for up to 4 people.

5.11 Staff Offices: 4 x 9.3m2 - 100ft2

General Description:
Individual offices of 9.3m2 - 100ft2 each to
accommodate desk, shelving, and guest chair.
Offices are as follows:
a. Partnership Development
b. Special Events
c. Marketing + Communication
d. Administrative Assistant

5.12 Open Workstations: 30m2 - 323ft2

General Description:
Task specific 5 open work stations @ 6m2

3 SPACE PROGRAM 29
 5.0 Administration (continued)

5.13 Volunteer's Room: 15m2 - 161ft2

General Description:
This space will provide a "home" for Museum volunteers,
storage for their materials and an informal meeting area.
Includes 1 wall of full height storage + a kitchenette.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Administration Reception

30 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

6.0 Service

6.1 Public Washrooms: 120m2 - 1291ft2

General Description:
To serve the public areas described in this program the
following public washroom facilities must be provided by
code:
Women's WC
Men's WC
Handicap Unit Room

Relationship Adjacencies:
Entry Lobby, Cafe

6.2 Staff WC + Showers: 20m2 - 215ft2

General Description:
Staff washrooms to be provided adjacent to collections
and Administration areas. Staff shower to be adjacent
to Staff Lounge. All staff facilities to be handicap
accessible.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Collections and Administration areas

6.3 Janitors Closet: 5m2 - 54ft2

General Description:
Room dedicated to cleaning and maintenance of the
Museum facility.

Relationship Adjacencies:
Elevator, Cafe, Exhibition

Special Requirements:
Sink, storage for cleaning supplies and equipment, light
bulbs, toilet paper etc.

6.4 Mechanical Room: 30m2 - 323ft2

General Description:
The size and requirements of this space is dependant on
the type of mechanical system.

The provision of Mechanical systems to meet Museum

classification levels for specified areas.

3 SPACE PROGRAM 31
 7.0 Parking + Loading

7.1
Museum Loading Dock:
Loading Bay: Level drive in front of the overhead door
for length of a 20m long truck. Garbage and recycling
container area needs to be provided. Provide separate
area for Cafe garbage and loading if possible.

Loading Dock: exterior weather shelter over 1.2m high
loading dock area with 5m height clearance.

7.2 Cafe Loading :

General Description:
Exterior loading bay large enough to accommodate a
cube van, recycling, and cafe garbage. To be separate
from Museum Loading due to problems with pests etc.

8.3 Parking: 30m2 - 14,040ft2

General Description:
Exterior or interior parking for 25 staff spaces, 25 visitor
spaces, 2 handicap spaces.

52 spaces x 270 sqft/space = 14040 ft2

32 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS
Site Options

The West Vancouver Museum will be relocated from its current

quiet location at 17th and Esquimalt to the Ambleside core.

Site options under consideration for the Museum are located on

larger sites in the Ambleside core. They are:
1300 Block Marine
1600 Block Marine
1400 Block Marine

The community was overwhelmingly in favour of

the 1300 Block Waterfront Precinct location due
to its gateway capability and prominence in the
community.

The Museum may be developed as part of a larger development

or as a stand alone facility depending on funding sources.

4 DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 33
 Site Development Requirements

The Museum site should be selected to support the following key

site criteria:

Location:
The location should:
• Develop and strengthen connections between the existing
cultural facilities.
• Reinforce a Gateway to Ambleside.
• Connect to Seawalk route, shopping streets, and public
amenities.

Access:
• Create a clear identifiable Entry
• Establish visibility and presence from Marine Drive and
waterfront.

Parking/Loading
• Parking can take up a great deal of space, so should bee
minimized, but Provide enough parking to service facility.
• Parking should be underground as surface space is too
valuable in the Ambleside core.
• Parking should be easily accessed but concealed from public
view.
• Provide loading access for large semi trailer vehicles.
• Provide separate loading and garbage for Cafe to prevent
contamination of Museum loading.

Exterior Public Space

• Provide space for public gathering, and art programming
that is open 24/7.

Views
• Be sensitive to view obstruction.
• Maximize views of water and mountains.

34 URBAN ARTS ARCHITECTURE

Minimum Site Area Required
The Museum could be developed on 2 or 3 storeys

Three Storey Option - 1500m2 Minimum Site:

If the Museum is situated on a sloped site such as the corner of
13th and Marine Drive, where there are 2 levels with possible
street access, the minimum floor plate possible for the Museum
would be a Main Floor of approximately 1600m2 including
300m2 for a Sculpture Court. The program elements could be
distributed as follows:

LOWER FLOOR
• Preparation & Storage
• Loading

MAIN FLOOR
• Lobby/Cafe/Museum Shop
• Sculpture Court
• Orientation + Exhibition Gallery
• Multi Purpose/Lecture + Catering Kitchen

SECOND FLOOR
• Conference Room
• Administration
• Education Studio + Multimedia/Digital Lab

This is large enough to accommodate the required parking on

a single level below grade. This scenario assumes a sloped site
that would allow Preparation + Storage to be located below a
street level Main Floor with access to loading off a lower street.

Two Storey Option - 1800m2 Minimum Site:

If the site was flat, a minimum floor plate of approximately
1800m2 would be required. The program elements could be
distributed as follows:

MAIN FLOOR
• Lobby/Cafe/Museum Shop
• Sculpture Court
• Orientation + Exhibition Gallery
• Multi Purpose/Lecture + Catering Kitchen
• Preparation & Storage
• Loading

SECOND FLOOR
• Exhibition Gallery
• Conference Room
• Administration
• Education Studio + Multimedia/Digital Lab

4 DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 35