Award

82 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 First Peoples' Gathering House – SFU R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y U R BA N A RT S A RC H I T EC T U R E I N C . FIRST PEOPLES' GATHERING HOUSE – SFU by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he First Peoples' Gathering House at Simon Fraser University (SFU)'s Burnaby campus is more than an architec- tural masterpiece – it's a sacred space dedicated to cultural exchange, ceremony, and the celebration of Indigenous knowledge. With its pow- erful presence, this space symbolizes SFU's commitment to reconcilia- tion, offering a welcoming haven for Indigenous peoples while fostering connection, tradition, and healing. For Indigenous communities at SFU, the Gathering House repre- sents a long-awaited vision come to life. Ron Johnston, director of SFU's Office for Aboriginal Peoples, shares the journey: "This project has been a 20-year vision for Indigenous peo- ple at SFU. I've been connected to this idea since the 1990s, back when I was a student here. At the time, UBC had a similar space and we felt strongly that SFU needed one as well. There was significant grassroots support, especially from faculty members like archaeology professor Phil Hobler who recognized the need for creat- ing gathering and study space for Indigenous students, as well as profes- sor Eldon Yellowhorn, who eventually became the founding director of SFU's Indigenous Studies Program." Historically, educational institu- tions have been viewed by Indigenous Peoples as places of assimilation. Chris (Syeta'xtn) Lewis, SFU Indigenous executive lead, explains: "The call for safe, welcoming spaces where we can celebrate our identity has always been strong. For Coast Salish people, the longhouse or gathering house holds deep meaning – it's where we come together for ceremony, governance, and the transmission of knowledge." The ultimate creation of this sacred space arose from SFU's Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC), which outlined a series of Calls to Action in its 2017 report Walk This Path With Us. Among the priorities was the need for culturally appropriate ceremonial spaces. The First Peoples' Gathering House became a cornerstone of ARC's commitment to reinvigorating long-delayed plans for a ceremo- nial hall where Indigenous students, staff, and community members could gather. By 2015, ARC initiated a year-long engagement process to highlight the urgency of this vision. In 2020, the project was officially announced, supported by $11.4 mil- lion in Provincial funding, $8.6 million from SFU, and an additional $5 million from the City of Burnaby in 2023, reinforcing the importance of this space, not just for the University but for the broader community. Selecting the right site was essen- tial. Ouri Scott, principal at Urban Arts Architecture, explains her early involvement: "I worked with campus planning to engage Indigenous faculty, staff, and students. We identified three potential sites and gathered input on which location best met their needs." Ultimately, the chosen site – situ- ated along the ceremonial walk at the highest point of the campus – held profound significance. As Lewis notes, "Our elders and ancestors say, 'All great journeys in life start in the mountains at the highest point.' This location embodies that journey." Construction by Scott Construction began in March 2023, with the slop- ing site embraced as an opportunity rather than a challenge. "The slope on the south side was steep and abrupt, but we carved the building into the hillside, creating beautiful gather- ing spaces. The ceremonial walkway allows people to enter at one level and exit way down at grade, where there's a cherry orchard," says Scott. The design of the building, a mod- ern interpretation of a Coast Salish longhouse, honours the unceded lands on which it stands. Johnston notes, "It was important to incorporate tra- ditional elements like the shed roof design and natural materials to create a warm, inviting space." The build- ing's alignment – approximately 13 degrees off the cardinal axis – further connects it to Indigenous traditions. "That shift felt like a realignment with Indigenous values, particu - larly around ceremony," says Meghan Froehlich, principal at Urban Arts. The building features a dynamic roof visible from both directions along the ceremonial walkway, and its natural materials echo the tradi- tional Squamish name for Burnaby Mountain, Lhuḵw'lhuḵw'áyten, which means 'where the bark gets peeled in spring.' The use of Arbutus- like metal cladding and cedar around the Great Hall honours the signifi- cance of the land. Scott adds, "We also designed the glazing to reflect the sky, connecting the building to nature." Inside, the heart of the Gathering House is the Great Hall, accessed through large, beautiful wooden doors. It is a ceremonial space for 300 people. The hall features four house posts representing the xʷməθkʷəy əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl ilw ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations. A wood- burning fireplace accessible from both inside and out holds cere- monial significance, as Johnston explains: "For many, ceremony begins when the fire is lit, and the smell and sight of smoke becomes a calling." The building also supports sacred practices like smudging, with rooms designed for ceremonies. Additional spaces include an Elder's Room, a wellness room, a multigenerational Indigenous Peoples' lounge, offices, and a servery kitchen. "We wanted the maker space to be meaningful – a place for gathering, learning, and sharing culture," says Scott. Outdoor spaces further reflect Indigenous pedagogy, linking the indoors with nature and offering areas for reflection and learning. "The design allows the house to change and grow with us, meet- ing the evolving needs of Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. This adaptability is a beautiful aspect of the building that everyone can take pride in," says Lewis. The Gathering House is a signifi- cant milestone in SFU's reconciliation journey, but Johnston emphasizes that it is just the beginning: "This building marks a turning point, but it's part of an ongoing effort to integrate Indigenous ways of know- ing into the university fabric." "There's a fictional story in the ARC report about a student, Jesse, from one of the local Nations walking onto campus and feeling welcomed by the new building and the sound of the drumbeat. That story was a guide for our design. I re-read that recently and I feel proud that we've achieved that," reflects Scott. A LOCATION SFU, Burnaby, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Simon Fraser University ARCHITECT Urban Arts Architecture Inc. GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Scott Construction Group STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL / SUSTAINABILIT Y CONSULTANT WSP Canada CIVIL CONSULTANT Kerr Wood Liedel Consultants BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec) ACOUSTICS CONSULTANT BKL Consultants ART CONSULTANT Janice George and Buddy Joseph L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PWL Partnership Landscape Architects TOTAL SIZE 14,485 square feet TOTAL COST $28 million

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