The purpose built Mountain Metis Community Centre will improve the quality of life for the Indigenous population through increased services and youth programs; access to historical and cultural information; land and resource consultation; and ability to host local and regional cultural events.
The Mountain Metis Nation Association (MMNA) will construct a 7,5000 sq.ft log structure to serve as the new community centre in Grande Cache, Alberta.
In advance of design The Tula Project participated in a two-day workshop to help define the program for the site design and community building. Through one-on-one dialog and group discussions, workshop participants gave their comments and ideas on overarching goals and helped define how the goals might be reflected in program elements. Post-its and comment sections were provided to allow participants to give specific feedback for each item, leading to further discussion and conversation. Over the course of design development participants were encouraged to provide additional detail and help confirm over arching themes, comments, and feedback from the initial engagement.
The landscape design considers site circulation, site programming, site security, and future additional amenities. The following design elements were identified as a priority for inclusion: open space for cultural activities and community gathering, passive seating, areas for outdoor eating, walking trails, native trees and grasses, landscape infiltration beds within the parking lot, stormwater management onsite, a youth vegetable garden, a dedicated basketball half court, flexible hardscape, and a stage complimented by an overhead structure, a central fire, and an outdoor patio to strengthen the indoor-outdoor connection from the Great Hall. The design approach considers viewsheds to the mountains and maintains the character of the region through proposed native planting and materials that ‘belong’ like wood and local rock.
Location: Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada
Status: Project is ongoing.
Partners: Solis Architecture / Mountain Metis Nation