If These Walls Could Talk: Exploring Architecture as a Narrative Medium through the Rehabilitation of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Abstract

This thesis explores how architecture, like literature and fi lm, uses narrative techniques to tell a story. The museum exemplifies this concept of architecture as a narrative medium, as its social mandate is to articulate a topic and educate visitors. Through the rehabilitation of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this thesis aims to improve the museum’s spatial qualities and configuration. A series of interventions are designed to frame spaces throughout the historic site, reflecting the historical events that took place there. These spaces tell the story of one million immigrants and Canadian military personnel who entered Canada at this site.