Indigenous art and architecture come full circle

A recent Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) building rehabilitation will showcase Indigenous knowledge, art and artists. 25 St. Clair Avenue East honours the Indigenous Peoples living within Treaty 13 territory, on the land now known as Toronto, Ontario.

PSPC worked with the Indigenous businesses Launchpad Creative, PLA Ltd. and Two Row Architect to incorporate Indigenous culture and traditional building materials into the rehabilitation of this Government of Canada building.

"Our goal was to put to use the Indigenous procurement process to promote Indigenous participation in the project and incorporate more Indigenous elements in the rehabilitation of the building," says Maryna Gomova, Project Management Officer with Professional and Technical Services in the Ontario Region. "Our intent was to support the growth and inclusion of Indigenous culture and traditions within our project."

Gomova adds: "Including Indigenous elements in the design of 25 St. Clair Avenue East was crucial for us to be able to recognize the rich cultural heritage and contributions of local Indigenous communities. This was a way for us to foster a sense of respect and acknowledgment of their historical and ongoing presence in the area. It also helps raise awareness and educate about the Indigenous history, cultures and traditions."

Two Row Architect guided the collaborative design process for specific building areas, as well as education and assembly spaces. PSPC also issued a contract to Launchpad Creative to source art installations by Indigenous artists. The "S.H.E." concept of "Sky, Horizon, Earth" resulted in a collection of artwork that represents the traditions of local urban Indigenous communities.

When it comes to designing spaces, Indigenous knowledge and techniques often underline sustainability and harmony with nature. For Gomova, incorporating these elements enhanced the environmental sustainability of the design, aligning with contemporary goals of the Greening Government Strategy during the rehabilitation project.

"Natural-feeling materials, such as carpets that mimic stone and floor-to-ceiling wooden acoustic panels, and furniture designed with flowing curves to resemble water, were introduced to enhance the 'nature' effect and feel within the spaces," Gomova explains.

The grand tour

Upon entry to the building, visitors notice the feature stairs and the education space to their left. These elements put a spotlight on traditional Indigenous art and design.

A custom hand-crafted birch bark canoe bookshelf is one of the building's masterworks. Next to it, the interactive hands-on education installation, which comprises columns and rows of cubes. "4 sides of each cube feature an important piece of information, including illustrations, with explanations in 3 official languages. When aligned, 1 side forms and features a traditional quilt," explains Gomova.

The cultural room adjacent to the lobby is designed for smudging ceremonies and to facilitate communal gatherings. Floor-to-ceiling acoustic wood slats surround the space to reduce ambient noise, and indirect lighting is thoughtfully included for quiet contemplation. "It is designed to be a space where you can engage your senses—sound, sight, hearing and touch—through the use of materials, indirect lighting, access to smudging and textural qualities," specifies Gomova. The centrepiece in the nearby assembly hall was made to recall the sacred medicine wheel and the sharing circle shape.

The unique rehabilitation of 25 St. Clair Avenue East places an emphasis on Indigenous art and culture, including an interactive exhibit highlighting Indigenous inventions and contributions to society, and all of these elements were fundamental to the project. The joint efforts of the various partners have helped to create a space that celebrates and honours the artistic and cultural traditions of the region's Indigenous Peoples.

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