Shaping the stories behind the structures
The challenge
The Cranbrook History Centre was preparing for a once-in-a-generation renewal: major gallery upgrades, fresh visitor amenities, and a full rethink of how the historic railcars anchor the visitor experience. This was a true team effort. Double Dare Design led the charge on the physical, visual, atmospheric, and structural side; my role was to facilitate the community consultations and shape the interpretive strategy.
My approach
I started by revisiting the Centre’s purpose and audiences. We looked at who actually walks through the doors now, who should be coming but isn’t, and what kinds of experiences could connect across that spectrum. From there, I built an interpretive framework rooted in three things:
- A master theme that connects the rail story to the wider sweep of Canadian history and local identity.
- Sub-themes and storylines for each gallery and railcar, tested against visitor needs and market realities.
- Exhibit concepts that resonate, communicate, and inspire
Throughout, I worked hand-in-hand with Double Dare. Their insightful analyses, floorplans, wayfinding, and sense of sightlines created the canvas; my narratives, outcomes, and story priorities helped make sure the canvas carried meaning. The final plan included zone-by-zone storylines, drawings, floorpans, experience snapshots, and outcome measures—a tool that guided both the design drawings and the organization’s fundraising pitch.
Lessons learned
Big heritage projects only succeed when design and interpretation move in lockstep with a passionate client and their vision. Architects and designers can deliver beautiful spaces, but without a clear, community-focussed interpretive strategy those spaces risk feeling hollow.
If you want a cultural facility that resonates, don’t tack interpretation on at the end. Bring it to the table early, let it shape decisions, and you’ll end up with a site that both looks good and tells stories people remember