A new visitor centre, which has been designed by Toronto-based architects Reich and Petch, has opened in Ontario, Canada, as part of a wider project to celebrate the War of 1812.

St Lawrence Parks Commission chose the design firm to draw up plans for the new facility, which is located at the Upper Canada Discovery Centre in Morrisburg.

It is one of six sites that Reich and Petch has been appointed to work on as part of efforts to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812, with five forts to also undergo a makeover.

The visitor centre was designed in association with NORR and features a 4,500 sq ft (418sq m) exhibit exploring the St Lawrence River's role during the conflict.

Reich and Petch principal Tony Reich said: "Our extensive experience in museums and attractions helped us to design and create the vision behind this bicentennial project."

Three other sites to benefit from a revamp led by Reich and Petch have already opened, such as Fort George National Historic Site at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Fort Henry and Kingston Discovery Centre is scheduled to open during the first half of 2012 and Fork York Visitor Centre's launch date is yet to be confirmed.