The interior design weaves art into the building fabric through glazed panels displaying community-curated patterns and artwork
Inspired by Indigenous cultural touchstones—the land, natural remedies, traditional healing, sunrise, woven patterns—Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s new Indigenous Community Health Centre (ICHC) aims to bring together health and support services to create a new health hub for Toronto’s Indigenous people.
Landscape is a primary driver for the site. Key programs on the ground floor—ceremonial space, traditional healer, and the community kitchen—are established as standalone pavilions inspired by pebbles in the stream of the Don River delta. The elevated central courtyard providing essential landscape access for the ICHC, conceals services and support spaces, and acts an amenity for the surrounding residential portion of the hub.
The traditional Indigenous woven shawl serves as the inspiration for the building cladding—the building exterior curves and folds like a shawl, offering comfort and care to its users. The shawl opens at the atrium letting in east light and providing dramatic views to the central landscape from each level. The red staircase was inspired by “the red road,” an Indigenous metaphor relating to making wise and spiritual choices in life.
The Anishnawbe Health Toronto Indigenous Community Health Centre will celebrate Indigenous culture and a connection to history, storytelling, and the land. This building will serve as a comforting healing home for Toronto’s Indigenous community.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Anishnawbe Health Toronto
- Partners
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- Two Row Architect (Indigenous Arch)
- Prism Partners (Client Advisor)
Michael Moxam, Vice President, Architecture
Every intervention impacts the public realm and contributes to community building. This is both our opportunity and our responsibility.
Deanna Brown, Principal
I’m driven to provide creative, efficient planning and designs that improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society.
Douglas Bryan, Senior Principal
As an entrepreneur, I’m a strong believer in integrated design and the growth of our global presence.
Vlad Bortnowski, Project Architect
My work is inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings: love, respect, honesty, courage, truth, wisdom and humility.
Terry Wilk, Principal
I love working within a multidisciplinary team – bringing together the best ideas to solve the design challenge. It’s creativity at work!
Rich Hlava, Principal
By challenging the status quo and designing with empathy and human needs in mind, you can connect with people and improve their daily lives.
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