The client is Canada’s first and only Indigenous-owned national law firm. They requested our firm to renovate their existing third floor office space and newly acquired space on the lower level of the building, while subtly integrating Indigenous culture into the design without the typical use of pronounced, archetypal visual cues. The challenge was to provide purpose to the two separate spaces, strategically dividing function and programme, while encouraging connection and movement between the two floors.

We began the design process with a deep dive into Indigenous culture, studying cultural practices, traditions, history, and art, while aiming to integrate the specific needs of an active, growing firm. The quiet nature of their work dictated a natural separation between private and public spaces. The third floor was programmed with the private offices and required support spaces, and the parti was based around a centralized rotunda with an intersecting axis, creating main corridors spanning out to windows in the four cardinal directions. This echoes the cultural significance of the directions themselves, as well as that of a circular shape. Throughout aboriginal cultures, each direction has symbolism applied to indigenous people's mental and physical health, as well as the elements of the earth. The circular chamber then branches off in these directions and is concluded with a contextually tailored sculpture.

The lower level was reserved for the main client meeting rooms, lounge, and games area. Set in a uniquely brutalist shell with harsh angles, unused mezzanines, and limited natural light, the design challenges presented some unique opportunities. We deactivated one of the existing mezzanines along the exterior to allow natural light to penetrate the offices and general common spaces. Additionally, the oversized boardroom was enclosed in double height glass to encourage the limited natural light to filter in. The concrete coffers were utilized and accentuated by custom light panels to create a sunlight/sky effect overhead and highlight the structural beauty of the waffle slab ceiling.

The material pallet was inspired by nature and the firm's Indigenous roots, taking textural and tonal cues from the prairies. Dark oak millwork, reminiscent of the tones in forest evergreen tree trunks, enveloped in an earthy textural plaster shell provide the background for the vibrant art and furnishings which take their color cues from traditional Indigenous clothing and jewelry. A consistent palette visually ties the two floors together connecting the physical separation of these two spaces which are three floors apart.

Drawing inspiration from a rich culture and subtly adapting it to a challenging space is the deeply contextual approach taken for the project. Identity can be achieved through narrowing down a client's values and function; however, when cultural identity is brought in as a primary driver to design, the result becomes that much richer.