Institutional (Small) Award
Jury Comment
This project embodies a progressive vision of sustainability, cultural significance, and inclusivity. It achieves Net-Zero Operational Energy through passive solar strategies, a high-performance envelope, and rooftop PV. The focus on resilience, critical for all community buildings, is commendable; as is the seamless interweaving of Mi’kmaq cultural strategies into the architecture.
Designed using the “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach, this project uses the strengths of Mi’kmaq knowledge together with the strengths of western knowledge to create a facility that serves as a model for the design of sustainable Indigenous architecture.
From its inception, the project prioritized sustainability through its design and material selection. The facility achieves Net-Zero Operational Energy by employing passive solar strategies, a high-performance building envelope, and a rooftop solar photo-voltaic system. The NSNWA building is certified under the CAGBC Zero Carbon Building Design V3 standard.
Creating a platform for meaningful engagement, and ensuring that the resulting design reflects the collective input and values of the Mi’kmaq women was fundamental to the design approach. Accordingly, the design team engaged elders, community members, and cultural experts to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and traditions into the architecture. Artists Jennifer Denny and Jordan Bennett were pivotal members of the design team, who inspired the references to the Mi’kmaq ribbon skirt and the traditional eight-pointed star pattern used on the exterior of the building. The collaborative approach has given the project cultural meaning and a sense of ownership within the community.
Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada supplied fancoils and roof-mounted units. The civil engineering design by DesignPoint Engineering & Surveying Ltd. for site services, grading, and drainage supported the project’s net-zero goals by preserving the natural landscape, enhancing stormwater management and natural stormwater flows, and creating a sustainable foundation for a space connected to community and culture.
PROJECT CREDITS
- Architect Solterre Design
- Owner/Developer Nova Scotia Native Women's Association
- General Contractor Lindsay Construction Limited
- Landscape Architect Outside Landscape Architects Inc
- Civil Engineer Design Point Engineering and Surveying
- Electrical/mechanical Engineer Equilibrium Engineering Inc.
- Structural Engineer Andrea Doncaster Engineering Ltda.
- Commissioning Agent Equilibrium Engineering Inc.
- Artist Collaborators Jennifer Denny, Jordan Bennett
- Photos Dean Casavechia
SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL OR PRINT ISSUE OF SABMAGAZINE FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE.
