Enjoy 2 free articles a month. For unlimited access, get a membership now.

Design nods to heritage, facilitating healing through community at a Canadian women’s shelter

Premium
19 Jun 2025
•
Institutions
BOOKMARK ARTICLE
Design nods to heritage, facilitating healing through community at a Canadian women’s shelter
  1. The 18-room complex has a loose, flowing ground floor that contradicts rectilinear institutional conventions. - Doublespace
  2. Resources precious to Canada’s Indigenous communities – namely, water – are easily read inspiration throughout the spatial concept. - Doublespace
  3. Its walls are soft and curved, suggesting a meandering stream, leading residents naturally through intake, counselling and community spaces. - Doublespace
  4. At the heart of the space is the Nookomis, ‘grandmother’ in Ojibwe, a circular ceremonial room. - Doublespace
  5. Wrapped in cedar, the space has hidden ceiling ventilation supporting sacred smudging ceremonies. Wood flooring is laid in patterns that establish the four directions, while a circular skylight casts sun and moonlight across the floor. - Doublespace
  6. A a light-flooded shared kitchen and dining area overlook a private garden, connecting residents to nature.. - Doublespace
  7. The needs of the facility's residents are clearly considered at every level; adjacent suites can be conjoined for families, while adjustable lighting gives residents control over their personal space. - Doublespace
Item 1 of 7
  1. The 18-room complex has a loose, flowing ground floor that contradicts rectilinear institutional conventions. - Doublespace
  2. Resources precious to Canada’s Indigenous communities – namely, water – are easily read inspiration throughout the spatial concept. - Doublespace
  3. Its walls are soft and curved, suggesting a meandering stream, leading residents naturally through intake, counselling and community spaces. - Doublespace
  4. At the heart of the space is the Nookomis, ‘grandmother’ in Ojibwe, a circular ceremonial room. - Doublespace
  5. Wrapped in cedar, the space has hidden ceiling ventilation supporting sacred smudging ceremonies. Wood flooring is laid in patterns that establish the four directions, while a circular skylight casts sun and moonlight across the floor. - Doublespace
  6. A a light-flooded shared kitchen and dining area overlook a private garden, connecting residents to nature.. - Doublespace
  7. The needs of the facility's residents are clearly considered at every level; adjacent suites can be conjoined for families, while adjustable lighting gives residents control over their personal space. - Doublespace
Item 1 of 7

1 / 8

Location
Map pointer Canada
Client
Anduhyaun Inc.
Design
LGA Architectural Partners
Structural
Blackwell Engineering
Landscape Architecture
GSP Group
Floor Area
1,102 sq-m

LGA Architectural Partners' design for Anduhyaun Emergency Shelter rethinks institutional shelter typologies through Indigenous-led spatial concepts.

FRAME's take 

‘As the culture a

Create a free account to read the full article

Get 2 premium articles for free each month

Related Articles

MORE Institutions

How architecture is building the next era of spiritual typologies

Premium
12 Nov 2025
•
Institutions

To push preventative medicine, Sala Hars puts pleasure at the centre of Zoī’s Parisian patient facilities

Premium
10 Nov 2025
•
Institutions

Triennale Milano's Piano Parco creates adaptable spaces for gathering, learning and listening

Premium
29 Oct 2025
•
Institutions

Across these 4 institutions, design becomes a keeper of culture

23 Oct 2025
•
Sector Snapshot

Echoing vernacular architecture, a visitor space links contemporary tourism and Longyou’s history

Premium
23 Oct 2025
•
Institutions

Can architecture actively support behaviour change? A Copenhagen health centre takes a stab

Premium
21 Oct 2025
•
Institutions

A collaborative process and Indigenous philosophies anchor a visitor’s centre in its community

Premium
20 Oct 2025
•
Institutions

The best spaces of 2025 – FRAME Awards’ shortlist revealed

08 Oct 2025
•
Frame Awards

Nature becomes teacher in a Balinese school built through collective, regenerative authorship

Premium
07 Oct 2025
•
Institutions

A clear circulation strategy transforms a prefabricated building into a smart, supportive kindergarten

Premium
12 Sep 2025
•
Institutions