The Agriculture Theme
The agriculture theme is introduced at the exterior of the building in the form of the service berry orchard located at the west end of the building. This orchard is symbolic of the fruit tree farming common in Grey County.
The theme is continued in the loggia that follows the exterior curved wall west of the entrance and throws the vertical shadows that are evocative of the light and shade created by barn siding. The cedar materials will further evoke the barn siding patina as they weather to their distinctive grey/silver colour.
Inside the building, the timber framed foyer is intended to evoke the qualities of the Grey County barn in a contemporary way. The pattern of light and shade typical in the wood sided barn is turned horizontally and created by maple sunscreens incorporated into the higher sections of the timber framing. The timber framing itself is configured with a king post design instead of the typical pitched roof of a barn and the ceiling is flat rather than sloped. Fittings, cabinetry and lighting are all contemporary in design to reflect Grey County's growth as a vibrant part of twenty-first century Ontario.
Agricultural themes are best represented in the permanent exhibit and, eventually, in the period building display. Indeed, the stone lifter was chosen as a symbol for the project and, as such, it takes pride of place at the heart of the permanent exhibit space. It was felt that this artefact best represented the character and nature of the early European settlers in Grey County.
~ G.M. Diemert Architect Inc.
