Sulphur Mountain
Next Architecture is pleased to be working with Public Service and Procurement Canada and Parks Canada on the rehabilitation of the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site foundation slabs and the Sulphur Mountain Weather Observatory at Sanson’s Peak, in Banff National Park.
Aerial video provided by the client illustrates the rugged terrain and remote location of this historic site.
The Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station was designated a National Historic Site in 1982 to commemorate its role in the Canadian contribution to the International Geophysical Year 1957-58 and the study of cosmic rays. The Weather Observatory, used from 1903 – 1930s, was designated as a recognized federal heritage building in 1986 because it is an example of a vernacular meteorological observatory.
Central to our process is the use of technology, and conservation is no different. Having accurate data is paramount on such a remote and challenging site when considering new interventions. We are thankful that Parks Canada had undertaken a laser scan of the site and our collaborators at SolidCAD translated the point cloud to a topography model for our use. By geospatially locating the extant site conditions we can confidently plan for new interventions that can be fabricated off site to reduce construction timeframes and return the site for public use.
We look forward to presenting the completed project shortly, including ideas to improve visitor access and safety to the site.