Banff National Park Pavilion, Prairie School structure in Banff National Park, Canada.
The Banff National Park Pavilion is an architectural structure in a national park in Alberta, with a wooden frame, stone walls, and three fireplaces made of cobblestone. Large art glass windows open to views of Sulphur Mountain and define the appearance of the site.
The building came about through the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Francis Conroy Sullivan, who designed it in 1911 and completed it in 1914. During World War I it served as storage and changed from its original purpose.
The building shows Prairie School features through horizontal lines and natural materials, representing Canada's only public building by Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors can see the wide windows and connection between interior and exterior spaces that are typical of this architectural style.
The pavilion was only accessible during summer months because it lacked heating systems and Canadian winters were uninhabitable. Visitors should keep this in mind when planning a visit and prefer the warmer months for exploration.
Recent reconstruction efforts use digital reverse engineering by analyzing historical photographs and traditional building methods. This allows for accurate reconstruction of the original design using modern technology.
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