Preserving Collections:
The Role of the Canadian Conservation Institute in PARC Campus
February 2025
The Royal BC Museum’s PARC Campus, the provincial archives, research and collections building, will provide a safe and secure location for much of the Province’s collection of over seven million objects, specimens, artifacts and archives. The new facility has been designed with preservation and conservation best practices in mind, supported by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI).
Established in 1972 and based in Ottawa, the CCI is a national organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Canada’s cultural heritage. As a division of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the CCI plays a key role in protecting artifacts, artworks, and historical sites in Canada through its expertise in conservation science. It offers a range of resources to the art and heritage sectors including guidelines for the care of objects and collections, preservation education, capacity building, and professional conservation services such as environmental monitoring and conservation treatment. The CCI also provides facility designation and indemnification programs for cultural institutions across Canada. Organizations that receive designation from Canadian Heritage are recognized for their best practices in operations and collections care, assuring the public, funders, donors and other institutions that they are safe, secure and accessible repositories for valuable collections.
Early in the planning process, the Royal BC Museum utilized the CCI’s capital project advisory services for assistance in planning PARC Campus. Achieving Category A Designation is essential as it will support the care and safety of collections and provide the Royal BC Museum with access to insurance once the facility is operational.
To this end, the CCI was closely involved during procurement offering feedback to the proponents to ensure the facility meets conservation standards and best practices. The design of the facility is a crucial aspect for receiving Category A designation. Through ongoing involvement, the CCI has provided detailed reviews and reports on each design package including the issued for construction drawings. This collaborative process between the CCI, the Royal BC Museum and the design-build partner will facilitate an effective transition into operations as the CCI will conduct technical assessments of the building – covering fire protection, security systems and other considerations– prior to granting the Category A designation.
The expertise and services offered by the CCI have been integral to the planning, design and implementation of PARC Campus. While some specific conservation-oriented design considerations may not be immediately visible – such as temperature and humidity control, lighting control systems or fire protection – these elements are crucial for preserving B.C.’s rich and diverse natural and cultural histories for generations to come.
