RECONCILIATION
Métis People have been excluded and displaced for centuries. During the 1970’s Oil Boom, Métis families that had lived at Moccasin Flats in Fort McMurray since 1870 were branded as squatters and forcibly evicted to make way for the Syncrude Towers. In June 2020, in an act of Reparative Justice, the Municipality returned 8 acres of land to McMurray Métis to build their Cultural Centre. All three levels of government have contributed to this Reconciliation Project.
Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2023
Third Award | Cultural (Concept)
Project Name: McMurray Métis Cultural Centre
Category: Cultural (Concept)
Studio Name: Mindful Architecture Ltd.
Design Team: T. Maginnis Cocivera + Geneviève Noël Area: 4,672 m2
Year: 2020 – ongoing
Location: Fort McMurray AB, Canada
Consultants: Parallel Group, Miskimmin Structural Engineering Ltd, Structural Solutions, Archineers Consulting Ltd., reLoad Sustainable Design Inc., AME Group, SMP Engineering, Morrison Hershfield, SHARP Landscape Architecture, Green T Design, WSP Canada Inc.
Photography Credits: NA
Render Credits: Fernando Mendez
MÉTIS RISING
Expressing the resilience of Métis People, the Centre emerges from the earth and connects to the sky. Embodying both a building and a monument, it reclaims the land as Métis Territory with the Infinity Symbol, flag of the Métis People, which you can now locate on Google Earth. Inspired by European culture, the east arc forms an Amphitheatre. The west arc, inspired by Indigenous culture, spirals upwards to meet the Northern Lights. Inside, a Fire Circle illuminated by an Aurora Chandelier gathers the community in a forest clearing setting. Above, a Terrace shaded by a Dream Catcher trellis offers views of the Athabasca River and Moccasin Flats, the two touchstones of Métis history and identity.
REVITALIZING CULTURE
East-facing following Indigenous protocol, the Community Entrance evokes a river canyon with an ephemeral water feature representing the Athabasca River, the historic lifeline of the McMurray Métis. This Community Wing offers a diversity of learning spaces to support cultural transmission. Elevators provide access to the future seat of Métis Self-Government, the ethnobotanical Green Roof Promenade and the Dream Catcher Terrace.
At the nexus, the public is welcomed into an Atrium that gives onto an Art Gallery, Theatre and Museum. Evoking a birch grove, a circular stair shrouded in plants wraps around the Reception desk. The evapotranspiration naturally humidifies the dry winter air, reducing electrical demand by 11%. The ribs of traditional Métis scows that hauled freight on the Athabasca are echoed in the mass timber structure. The arrowhead pattern of the Métis sash is expressed when the PhotoVoltaic cladding is mirrored in the Reflecting Pool.
CATALYZING ZERO CARBON
This Zero Carbon incubator in the heart of the Oil Sands is targeting One Planet Living endorsement. The form has been rigorously rationalized with most of the program in the long straight section optimized for solar gain. Embodied Carbon is minimized through mass timber structure and Carbon Cure Concrete that sequesters CO2 from industry.
Operational Carbon is minimized through the high-performance building envelope and innovative mechanical design. Geo-Piles and Earth Tubes regulate temperature and a Biomass Boiler provides carbon neutral heat. Electricity from the fossil fuel-heavy grid is offset through vertically-oriented PV cladding, that takes advantage of the low-angle northern sun, and Eco-Networking.
REPLENISHING BIODIVERSITY
The 8 acre site, formerly a monoculture, is re-naturalized with undulating topography and a habitat pond. Indigenous biodiversity is re-introduced through seeds collected, propagated and planted with the appropriate protocols by the community. A Medicine Wheel Garden, trapline and foraging trails share ethnobotanical teachings and recreate a Métis cultural landscape.
