A national architecture critic is giving the design of the new Royal Alberta Museum a huge vote of confidence, and thinks the final product will be an aesthetically pleasing landmark for Edmonton's downtown.
On Wednesday, the winning design and builder was chosen for the Royal Alberta Museum. Ledcor Design Build has been awarded the multi-million dollar contract to build the museum.
The province had invited public input on the final four designs for the museum that will stand on prime downtown land, just north of City Hall and the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Ledcor's designs were among three others unveiled in August, four months after the premier's long-awaited announcement to build a new museum.
Initially the four designs came with plenty of criticism. Some suggested the design was too plain.
Even the government's own minister Thomas Lukaszuk called the finalists designs "underwhelming".
But a Vancouver- based architecture critic who is originally fro Edmonton, suggests these sketches are just a rough draft. Trevor Boddy thinks people just need to be patient.
"I think the whole design process has been a bit of a panic up to now, but with a little bit of time and consideration I think a good design could emerge from her first ideas," said Boddy.
At 36,000 square metres, the building will double the size of the current Glenora facility, allowing the city to attract larger exhibits.
Architects are in the process of developing more detailed designs.
The new museum is slated to open in 2015.
With files from Bill Fortier
