The Pipestone Creek Bonebed Project is located in the Pipestone Creek Valley, near the confluence with the Wapiti River and at the actual site of a dinosaur bonebed the size of several football fields. the Focus-designed road and bridges allow access to this bonebed that dates back 72-73 million years. It is one of five most significant dinosaur bonebeds ever discovered. the site at Pipestone Creek has already yielded more than 3500 bones including the bones of 40 different animals.
The bonebed contains more than 200 bones per cubic meter. A tremendous find compared with other significant discoveries of 20-60 bones per sq meter. 99% of the bones found at the Pipestone Creek Bonebed Project site are from a unique species of Pachyrhinosaurus named Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai in honour of the Grade 8 science teacher, Al Lukusta who unearthed it.
The Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum is a Leed-certified, educational and research facility in the heart of the Peace Country. With elegant architectural lines designed by Toronto-based Teeple Architects, the Museum will feature extensive gallery spaces, two classrooms, a 64-seat theatre, research and collections areas, a restaurant, gift shop, and tourist services on a three-level design.
High windows and spacious interior with its unique timber truss design create a truly exceptional museum experience.Built on a 10 acre plot set amongst the rambling farmlands of northwestern Alberta, the sculpted gardens will include private alcoves ideal for families and picnics. Revegetated with native plants and featuring additional artifacts and interpretive trails, the gardens extend the learning experience outdoors.
“ Located within the township of Wembley, Alberta, the River of Death and Discovery Dinosaur Museum will be one of the world’s foremost museums of paleontology and natural history. It will tell the fascinating story of the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Bonebed and how it was discovered and subsequently excavated.
The narrative of the museum parallels the discovery of the bonebed, the paleontological process of reconstructing dinosaurs and the experience of this prehistoric time. the re-erected skeleton of the native Pachyrhinosaurus Lakustai dinosaur will be prominantly featured at the museum entrance. the locally-sourced timber structure and perforated acoustic wood finishes make for a warm yet dramatic sustainable building.” Description of Teeple Architects.
Location: Wembley, Alberta, Canada Architects: Teeple Architects Project Architects: Martin Baron Associate Architect: Architecture, Atb Design Team: Mark Baechler, Scott Norsworthy Landscape: Scatliff + Miller + Murray Landscape Architects Completion Date: 2012 Gross square footage: 3,300 sqm