The concept design of the new facility has centred around a number of key directions and goals that have driven and informed the design process. While it is acknowledged that the design of the facility will evolve as the project proceeds, the following principals will remain a core component of our philosophy, • To provide a holistic approach to the preservation and revitalization of as much of the existing structure that is practically possible. • To develop a building that provides identity and recognition for the partners that will increase the public’s awareness and the museums visibility in the community. • To create a series of internal spaces that are truly memorable and inspiring that provide an appropriate backdrop to the collections and to the activities and functions contained within. The design of the new interventions are modern in their approach and provide a contrast to the texture of the retained brick of the existing structure. The design values the existing structure and utilizes its form as an organizational and ordering device for the new museum. The vacant portion of land to the east of the existing building has been utilized to contain an access ramp to the basement parking and more importantly to form the principal entrance from Jasper Avenue. The entrance brings visitors into a two storey foyer containing a curved wall that provides an overview of the facility on the main floor while a balcony at the second floor level provides access to a donor recognition and founding members display wall. The curved wall leads visitors to the main circulation space which is devised as a four storey atrium containing the main stair and elevator and provides access to all the component areas. The atrium brings light into the building from above while informing visitor circulation and orientation. The entry foyer also provides a secondary link and a strong visual connection to the ‘sculpture gallery’. This three storey space is constructed above the ramp to the parkade at second floor level and is designed to display large objects from the ethnographic collection. The facility is organized around these spaces in an open plan arrangement where possible. The main floor contains a temporary gallery, book / coffee shop and an area for deliveries and cleaning and cataloguing of acquisitions. The second floor the main exhibition spaces, the third floor the library and archive and the fourth floor offices, boardroom and activity room. It is the interaction of these three principal public areas, the foyer, the atrium and the sculpture gallery, that ensures the synergy and connection between the functions and enables the components of the facility to act as a whole.