The
Seagram Museum is located in Waterloo, Ontario, on the site of the
original Seagram distillery. Many of the oldest buildings in the
plant remain intact, in many cases still in use for their original
purposes. Within the context of these important examples of Canada's
industrial architectural past, the new museum has been constructed.
The
entry to the museum is through a 19th century barrel warehouse,
whose heavy timber racks for storing the barrels extend through
five stories. Portions of the timber racks were removed, creating
a skylit courtyard, which incorporates a restaurant and museum shop,
and through which the visitor enters the main museum building.
The
museum building, a 17,000-square foot, 40 foot high room, contains
permanent exhibits and an introductory film theater, in a series
of individual pavilions beneath a skylit roof. A second level contains
Seagram company archives and offices for museum staff.
|