Project Sectors
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The McAbee Fossil Field site occupies over 1350 acres and contains one of the most diverse fossil beds in BC. It is rich with insect, plant, fish, bird, spider, and crayfish fossils from the Eocene Epoch, 53 million years ago, many of them remarkably well-preserved.
In 2012, Heritage BC officially designated the McAbee Fossil Beds a Heritage Site. In 2017, a business case and plan summary was written to identify the economic, social, scientific and cultural impact a new interpretive centre would have. In 2023, our team was engaged to help envision what the McAbee Fossil Fields Cultural Visitor Centre could look like. Our approach to this endeavour was to work closely with project rightsholders, titleholders, and stakeholders in order to co-create a new facility.
THE VISION
The McAbee Fossil Fields Cultural Visitor Centre is envisioned as a response to significant community, tourism, and scientific interest. With its foundation deeply rooted in the local and scientific significance of the site, the Centre aims to address past exploitative fossil collection practices by offering educational, curatorial, and display facilities that highlight McAbee’s unique paleontological assets and the ancestral heritage of the Bonaparte First Nation and surrounding Indigenous communities.
The Cultural Visitor Centre will forge a connection between the land, its people, and visitors and aspires to create a generational legacy that extends its impact well beyond local confines. The design and orientation of the Centre, inspired by the site’s natural topography and history, integrates the facility with its storied landscape, fostering a deeper engagement with the Bonaparte First Nation and neighbouring communities. The Centre's aims to diversify the local economy, bolster community pride, and enhance educational and collaborative opportunities, positioning it as a pivotal resource for geological, paleontological, and biological research and a beacon for cultural and scientific tourism on both a provincial and international level.
DESIGN CONCEPT
The McAbee Fossil Beds Indigenous Visitor and Paleontology Centre's conceptual design uniquely merges historical depth with contemporary vision, reflecting the area's Indigenous heritage, paleontological significance, and natural beauty. Inspired by traditional Indigenous pit-houses, the architecture incorporates circular forms embedded in the landscape, with vegetative roofs and natural lighting enhancing the connection to the environment. Visitors embark on a descending journey through time, encountering interactive exhibits, research labs, and a ceremonial space, all designed to foster education and cultural engagement. Utilizing durable, earthy materials alongside modern elements, the facility aims to embody a sense of enduring presence while looking towards the future. This blend of past, present, and future is further enriched by the integration of Indigenous language and cultural motifs, ensuring the Centre stands as a testament to the community's legacy and aspirations.
