The Harrison McCain Pavilion is part of a general expansion of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which was founded in 1969 at the behest of its patron, Lord Beaverbrook, who funded the original building and donated his art collection to the community.

Made of precast concrete and glass, the main facade presents a gentle curve and evokes a classical temple, reinterpreting it on a contemporary note. A wide staircase gives rise to a gathering place and invites one to enter. The 837-square-meter project takes into account the water level of the Saint John River, addressing the possibility of seasonal flooding by raising the ground floor well above the alluvial plain.