Visitor centre frames picturesque lake views

Project: Buffalo Crossing

Award: Future Projects - Leisure, Bronze, 2023

Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Architect: Stantec Architecture Ltd

Client: FortWhyte Alive

Buffalo Crossing is situated on Muir Lakes south shore, the largest of seven lakes formed in reclaimed clay and gravel pits. Serving as the gateway to FortWhyte Alive’s 660 acre nature campus, the two-storey mass timber visitor centre will include a gift shop and café as well as learning, pre-function and indigenous facilities and event space.

Set in an aspen forest and perched between and over granite gabion walls, Buffalo Crossing will frame views towards the visitors’ experience that lies ahead. Triangular in form with a minimal north facade with limited solar exposure, the northwest façade opens up to picturesque views, while the south façade addresses the motorway providing a strong physical presence.

Design highlights

Rounded corners soften its presence within the aspen forest. Interior features supporting indigenous culture have been carefully curated including language, interpretive elements and the Star Blanket pattern celebrating indigenous history and knowledge. The bison (buffalo) make an appearance in the Donor Wall.