This angular museum meanders through a forest in British Columbia. Canadian firm Patkau Architects designed the elevated building to house a private collector’s artwork and keep it safe from flooding. The museum’s linear succession of spaces creates a promenade that evokes the experience of strolling through the forest.

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Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

An elevated walkway leads to the main entrance of the building, which is located beneath an angular form clad in pale wooden slats. While the exterior facade, clad in black metal panels, gives the building an artificial appearance, the wood-dominated interior connects it to its forested surroundings and introduces an element of warmth and familiarity.

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

The configuration of the site informed the overall massing of the building. In order to protect the gallery from flooding, the building is elevated a full story above the ground.

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Related: Spectacular new shipping container museum nestles near China’s Great Wall

Looking towards the forest, a glass walkway occupies an entire side of the building, while a large stairway at the center connects the museum to the green space below. These design decisions reflect the intent to focus all attention on nature and the artwork.

+ Patkau Architects

Via Dezeen

Photos by James Dow / Patkau Architects

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia

Audain Art Museum, Patkau Architects, museum, British Museum, metal facade, wooden cladding, green architecture, flooding, glass walkways, British Columbia