Parks Canada Mobile Kiosk
Parks Canada Mobile Kiosk
Canadiana Camper
Planning for the next two visitor seasons and beyond, Parks Canada developed a plan to mobilize its visitor counselling services within Cape Breton Highlands National Park during a critical period of infrastructure projects which will ultimately impact visitor travels. Part of the solution included a mobile kiosk to allow the visitor services and interpretation teams to connect with visitors throughout the park, especially during areas of increased road and bridge construction as the park rolls out $20 million worth of infrastructure projects.
Our solution draws upon the visual language of camping to generate a visually engaging kiosk that will not only draw attention but will also feel at home within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park setting. Referencing the construction techniques of strip-built canoes to generate a familiar camper form. The construction of the camper employs a hermetically sealed approach similar to camper construction. The cedar-strip building technique will be a huge attraction in itself.
Status
2016 (design-build)
Our Role
Branding, graphic design, architecture
Client
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Parks Canada
Location
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Fabrication
Fabrication: Tekton Design + Build; Lunenburg Boat Works; Hearts Inspired Furniture; Linkletter's Welding Ltd.
TWO LIVES
The mobile kiosk will serve two functions. For the first part of its life, the vehicle will be moved a few times per year, following the infrastructure construction planned throughout the park. For this purpose, it will be used as a mobile visitor information centre, serving to inform the public and share information. In its second life, the vehicle will be used as a mobile interpretive centre, and require flexibility to house animators, mount puppet shows, and display objects and artifacts, among other services.
CEDAR STRIP-BUILD
We selected the strip construction technique—a process of working with long, thin wooden slats that are fiberglassed for extra strength and long term durability. The building technique is something that both our builder and design team have worked with before and will be a huge attraction in itself.
A WORK SURFACE
From inside the kiosk, a desk faces out the back of the viewing window to allow a view of approaching visitors and to provide natural day light should the canopy be enclosed.
A ROAD-SIDE GATHERING PLACE
Floor plan is organized like a stage where there is a clear front to the kiosk. This will provide an obvious area for the public to gather for information. The greeting is located at the drivers side so that when parked alongside a road or parking lot the foreground is free for interpretation and direction.
THE FEDERAL IDENTITY PROGRAM (FIP)
The vehicle follows current standards for Parks Canada vehicle identification.
CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS
The graphic elements are a nod to the rolling geography of the Cape Breton Highlands, the finishes and detailing associated with vintage campers and outdoor equipment, and the colourful graphics used for canoes.
PARKA
Parka, Parks Canada mascot, will appear discretely in various place on the Kiosk.
FINISHES
The 'glassing' finish provides a durable enclosure that will require minimal upkeep and maintenance.
INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC
The operable canopy protects the interior while in motion and then opens to become weather and solar protection for the interpreters and the public. There is an open area that can be used for interaction for the public or for puppet shows; the vertical panel to the right can be used for park announcements or park maps.
A lower counter is provided for the public to view brochures and maps and there are pockets for printed material. This bank of millwork elements would be removable and could be replaced with a case displaying artifacts or other items of interpretive interest.
COLOUR
Colours are drawn from the Parks Canada Colour palette, to ensure consistency between products. The Program colour (National Park Green), and official accent colours are influenced by the landscape of Cape Breton Highlands.