Juno Beach Centre: Exhibition Design and Build

The Juno Beach Centre Association owns and operates the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France.  Its objectives are to provide a fitting memorial to Canada’s participation in the Second World War; remember and commemorate the sacrifices made by all Canadians who were part of the Allied victory; and educate adults and children about the role of Canada in preserving the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy today.  They are now seeking a contractor to design and build a permanent exhibition at the centre, opening in 2020, on the subject of "Canada Today."  The estimated value of this contract is $Canadian 500,000. (£287,000)

Request For Information (RFI) for Exhibition Design and Fabrication Services

The JBCA is researching the marketplace to hire an exhibit planning and design firm for the redesign of the permanent exhibition space “Room G – Canada Today.” The Museum is seeking a Design-Build approach to complete all aspects of the Project.

The successful supplier must offer the following services:

• Creative exhibition design services (2-dimensional and 3-dimensional)
• Media and show design and development services
• Fabrication and production
• Installation

Interpretive planning, research, and content development are also part of the services; however, the successful Firm will collaborate with Museum staff and JBCA representatives to ensure the Project integrates fully with the Museum’s visitor experience, existing educational programs, and overall scenography.

The final exhibition will include content in French and English. The internal and everyday working language of the project team will be in English. All documents and presentations prepared for the purposes of this RFI in French must also be translated into English at the expense of the Respondent.

The budget for this project is $500,000 Canadian (taxes incl.). The budget is inclusive of design fees and expenses as well as fabrication and installation of the exhibition. This budget also includes image sourcing, and all new photography, artwork preparation, and new media production. Procurement, clearances, copyright, and licensing are also the responsibility of the Firm.

Project Overview
The Juno Beach Centre will unveil the new permanent exhibit in Room G in February 2020. From 2003 to 2017 Room G, the last room of the permanent displays, has had a particular status. Its architecture (bigger surfaces, round shape, day light, high ceiling), its lay out (central thematic clusters, wooden floor), and its temporality (nowadays) are unlike the other rooms. It promotes the discovery of Canada, this faraway and yet so close country, by the means of three key ideas developed in the context of the early 2000 years:

• The role of Canada as a peacekeeper in the world
• The cultural diversity on which the Canadian identity is based
• The distinctive features of the country

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Initially, its layout and contents were developed to address those who do not know about Canada and its people. The Juno Beach Centre’s visitor statistics have shown that they are many. Their comments and the feedback from teachers confirm that this topic should be maintained as it is part of the identity of the museum, since it makes it a unique place in the area and contributes to its reputation. Nevertheless, after 15 years, it needs to be redesigned, taking into account the changes and arrangements that have been made to the museum in the past years, as well as changes in Canada.

The 2013 film “They walk with you” is very effective in conveying the importance of the sacrifice made by Canadians who came to fight for freedom in France. The quality of the images and the scenario do not to fail to move the visitor and make him/her reflect. It brings to an end the part of the visit on the Second World War, and opens a new part on today’s world by showing images of a family, today, on the beach of Courseulles-sur-Mer. After this screening, everyone will have understood that they bear a precious and fragile heritage. Following this war, men and women have continued to be involved in the world.
It is also essential to take into account our experience in terms of public reception, needs of the public, generational diversity and origin of visitors, site management and recent events.

The concept for 2020 onward – The new room G will cater to visitors through 3 new main clusters as identified here:

• Cluster 1/ Considering the legacy of the world in today’s Canada: Exploring the connections between Europe, Great Britain and the rest of the world and Canada. (Audience: This corresponds to the needs of European audience, especially individuals and families)
• Cluster 2/ Considering the legacy of Canadians in today’s world. (Audience: This corresponds to the needs of European audience, especially schools)
• Cluster 3/ Reflecting, sharing, on the history (Audience: This corresponds to the needs of Canadian audience)

In terms of content, as much as of museography, Room G is contemporary to the visitors and invites them to think, pass on, share and exchange. For this reason, the topics are dealt with in a way which will help the visitor identify with the contents and feel involved. The room, welcoming and comfortable, has a wide view onto the outside, and has the technology to present current-day realities. After a very information-based visit, and before leaving the Juno Beach Centre, it is essential to offer a contemporary approach, which will remind everyone of their responsibility to build a future in which tolerance is a key value because it is a major pillar to multiculturalism, democracy, liberty, peace and reconciliation.

Scope of Work – The Contractor must provide professional services to conceptualize the Project Team's vision. This project includes design, fabrication, and installation of all interpretive elements including, but not limited to, exhibits in the room, interpretive panels and/or elements, design for the interior finishing, including floor and lighting, and design, fabrication and installation of components.

The contractor will develop all content based on the interpretive plan provided by JBC. The Contractor will also be responsible for fabrication and installation of all elements identified and approved in the final design package. Interpretive exhibits and design will be based on Interpretive Themes identified in the Interpretive Plan.
All elements must:

• Be designed to invite visitors to think, pass on, share and exchange;
• Meet the needs and expectations of target markets, as identified in the Interpretive Plan;
• Provide interactive and engaging interpretation, as well as concise messaging for visitors;
• Follow accessibility design standards;
• Be low on multimedia and technology, but still allow for interactivity;
• Be durable, high quality and low maintenance. All exhibits must be designed to withstand vandalism and high-
  volume usage; have an expected life span of at least 10 and preferably 15 years.
• Use highest quality materials and fabrication techniques available, as per budget and detail design plan. 

Delivery point: