Canadian Historical Military Museum
2008
The Canadian Historical Museum is a preliminary design proposal developed by Passa Architects as a primary home for the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association and its collection of rare military aircraft of which the most notable is an Avro Lancaster Bomber currently being restored. The design concept has the project located on a site within the Windsor Airport lands with the intention of it eventually spurring large-scale development of the site. The bulk of the 67,000 sq. ft. structure contains a large hangar display area for military aircraft and equipment with workshops and administration space for the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association. Further space would be allocated to other community requirements such as archival storage space for the City of Windsor and possibly other associated community museums with display space requirements. A cafeteria and gift shop would also be located on the ground level near the entrance. The main hanger space is a soaring 3-story grand hall with an extensively glazed operable full wall hanger door allowing the functioning aircraft to be moved to the outdoors for air shows and parades with an exterior second-floor viewing platform built into and above the main entry canopy for dignitary use. Interior spaces are dedicated to various displays, a theatre, educational aspects, conference, and storage uses with additional museum administrative requirements on the second floor. Internal viewing balconies allow for additional sight angles of the main hangar area while also overlooking the engineering workshops.
The proposed structure is intended to have many sustainable features including a high-performance building envelope, extensive green roofs and an intensive use of daylighting. The intention of the structure is to provide a unique and exciting museum experience for visitors while honoring and preserving the memory of the men and women who through their life efforts protected Canadian freedom and advanced Canadian aviation. The structure will also act as a proud representative of the City of Windsor and its inhabitants while making a pronounced presence with its sustainable nature as a LEED Accredited facility.