Originally opened in 2022, the Wheaton Walk Through Time at UBC is an outdoor interpretive and wayfinding project that translates Earth’s 4.5 billion years of geological and biological history into a clear and accessible public experience.
Connecting the Pacific Museum of the Earth and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the project reimagines a daily pedestrian route into an immersive learning environment embedded within the campus landscape.
Designed by PWL Partnership Landscape Architects, the project communicates complex geological and biological concepts through spatial sequencing, materiality, colour and form. A 110-metre linear timeline represents deep time in 100-million-year intervals, while a circular Tree of Life visualizes the interconnectedness of biodiversity and geological history.
Grounded in scientific accuracy, the installation supports engagement for diverse audiences, from casual passersby to school groups and academic visitors. Integrated wayfinding, tactile elements and interactive digital content extend interpretation beyond the physical installation, encouraging further exploration of the museums.
The Wheaton Walk Through Time demonstrates how landscape architecture can function as a communication medium, translating scientific research into engaging, legible and publicly accessible learning experiences.
The project received an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, recognizing the exhibit’s success in turning scientific research and museum interpretation into an accessible public learning experience.
