Royal Tyrrell Museum Expansion 

MCW provided mechanical, electrical, and ICAT consulting services for the Royal Tyrrell Museum expansion in Drumheller, Alberta. The project added exhibition and support spaces, distance-learning studios, a multipurpose room, and a dining area to the existing museum.

The approximately 12,000 ft², two-storey addition was integrated with the original facility along three of its four elevations. Mechanical systems maintained the required environmental conditions across the new spaces, while the electrical design focused on specialty lighting for exhibition areas. ICAT systems supported the distance-learning facilities and communications technology used for educational programming and global outreach.

The expansion also included visitor rest spaces and refreshment amenities along the museum’s circulation route. Designed to complement the surrounding Badlands landscape, the addition featured a curved façade with aluminum composite panels and curtain-wall glazing that brought natural light into public areas.

• Mechanical: maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for exhibition and support spaces within an expansion tied into an existing museum.
• Electrical: specialty exhibit lighting, plus power and lighting for public, education, dining, and multipurpose spaces.
• ICAT: communications infrastructure for distance-learning studios and technology-enabled educational programming.
• Integration challenge: fitting new systems into a two-storey addition connected to the original building on three elevations.