The design for the Carrier-Sekani Family Services Health and Wellness Centre in Burns Lake seeks to consolidate existing, fragmented departments into a culturally specific, integrated delivery of health and family services. Recognized as an innovative provider of Health, Mental Health, Child and Family Services and Justice for it’s 11 member aboriginal nations. The new facility is needed as the Child and Family Welfare department transitions to a C6 designation (self-governance in determining child welfare policy).

The CSFS Health and Wellness Centre is a response to the need for a culturally appropriate and relevant building embracing Carrier-Sekani traditions through built form and artifacts, including woven baskets and blankets. Water and fishing is central to the heritage of the Carrier people who have travelled up and down the Fraser and Nechako river systems for thousands of years.

The main atrium space is welcoming and non-institutional with woven exterior solar shading to reference local aboriginal weaving traditions. Passive mechanical design strategies that utilize stack ventilation and solar gain.