Aanischaakamikw (Cultural Cree Institute) - exterior

Douglas Cardinal, ( Metis Blackfoot, Kainai ) developed this striking design through a series of roundtable and visionary sessions with Cree tribal elders. The turret-type cocoon is based on the traditional sabtuan, which was used as a communal gathering space for everything from cooking, meeting and learning. The interior space is warm and full of laminated timber beams complemented by flooring. The cathedral-like space is finished in glass and stone that mimics the weather of the region, which can be both hard and cold.