Upper Fort Garry Heritage Wall
“Historically, the wall would have been the Fort’s most important feature, and from this day forward it will play an equally important role by conveying the history and significance of Upper Fort Garry.”
— Jerry Gray, Friends of Upper Fort Garry
For half a decade, Pattern collaborated with an expert team of architects, historians, and builders to illuminate an essential story from Manitoba’s past, creating an immersive visitor experience in downtown Winnipeg.
This one-of-a-kind urban park lets visitors engage with the Upper Fort’s history using varied mediums – through sculpture, audio/video and digital technologies. Pattern played a pivotal role, designing and implementing the wall illustrations, screen, website, and mobile app.
The Challenge
Upper Fort Garry is a cornerstone of Canadian history, having witnessed several events that shaped the nation. To tell its tales, a team combining historical and technical expertise was formed. Their collaboration birthed a distinctive solution that elevates Winnipeg’s cultural scene.
The Stories
Upper Fort Garry was a trading post, an administrative hub, a gateway to the west, and the site of the Red River Resistance; many things to the many people living in and around the area that is now Winnipeg. The Province of Manitoba—and, arguably, much of western Canada—began to take shape at Upper Fort Garry.
The Solution
Pattern’s innovative approach meshed sculpture with tech, leading to the Heritage Wall’s striking “storyline” illustrations and an LED “pixel” screen. This steel wall, spanning over 400 feet, offers a visual journey from indigenous histories to the fort’s demolition and Manitoba’s envisioned future. Additionally, the wall features an LED screen showcasing abstracted historical themes.
The Build
Crafting the wall began in 2012 with Capitol Steel. Given its design, which involved multiple layers of curving steel and thousands of holes, thorough communication was essential. The installation was split into equal sections for efficiency. For the LED “pixel” screen, Pattern collaborated with Daktronics, using durable, replaceable LED “sticks.”
The park’s educational angle is bolstered by the Upper Fort Garry app, offering a detailed guide with archival imagery and multimedia links. Additionally, the website serves as an educational tool, packed with resources on the fort’s history.
Outcomes & Results
Opened in 2015, the park has garnered numerous accolades, from Canadian Society of Landscape Architects awards to Grands Prix du Design recognitions. It’s a testament to the Friends of Upper Fort Garry’s vision, merging innovation and tradition, and further enriching Winnipeg’s cultural fabric.
