Woodland Cultural Center Gallery

This project for an art gallery and cultural center for the Woodland Cultural Center in Brantford, Ontario. Set at the site of a former residential school, this building is designed to foster a sense of community and strengthen pride in the Kanien'kehá:ka culture, offering an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future.

A contemporary minimalist architectural style using natural materials was chosen to defer to the history of the site. The structure has thick rammed earth walls, complemented by timber roof trusses to connect the building to the landscape. The floor plan follows the shape of the trillium flower, a native species and provincial symbol of Ontario, to symbolize unity between all people who visit.

Key aperatures at the peaks of the triangular plans direct views to a specific heritage elements, from the colonial-era residential school to sculptural works by Indigenous artists. The circular courtyard, inspired by the fire grounds of Indigenous villages, provides a space for community events and traditional ceremonies.