Parks Canada Selects Winning Design for Banff Visitor Centre Redevelopment

Event summary

  • Parks Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) selected Paul Raff Studio and Kengo Kuma & Associates' design as the winner of an international competition for a reimagined visitor centre and community space in Banff National Park.
  • The winning design was chosen for its strong sustainability approach, emphasis on landscape and architecture, and balanced approach to conservation, heritage, Indigenous perspectives, and visitor experience.
  • The project is part of the 200-Block Banff Avenue Redevelopment, which has been in development for over two decades, with federal funding received in 2022 to advance the conceptual design.
  • The selected concept will serve as a foundation for further refinement, guided by continued engagement, environmental review, and Parks Canada's mandate to protect and present places of national significance.

The big picture

The selection of the winning design marks a significant step in the redevelopment of the 200-Block Banff Avenue, a project that aims to modernize facilities and public spaces in downtown Banff while strengthening connections between people, place, and national park values. As an integral part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site and a focal point for western Canada's tourism industry, the project reflects broader trends in sustainable architecture and Indigenous collaboration in public spaces. With over four million visitors annually, the redevelopment is expected to have a substantial impact on the visitor experience and the local economy.

What we're watching

Sustainability Integration
How the winning design's sustainability approach will be implemented and whether it sets a new standard for visitor centres in national parks.
Indigenous Collaboration
The extent to which Indigenous perspectives will be incorporated into the final design and its impact on the visitor experience.
Project Timeline
The pace at which the project will progress from conceptual design to completion, considering the need for continued engagement and environmental review.

Related topics

Tourism