Design Studio: Indigenous Design (F19)

ARCH-5525 – Design Studio: Indigenous Design – Fall 2019
This optional graduate Design Studio, selected by each student, examines questions surrounding ‘Indigenous design.’ How does the study of Indigenous knowledges, cultures, practices and traditional protocols inform design? Indigenous design context, processes, strategies and views of the planet are explored in an attempt to broaden the discourse on architecture from the perspective of Indigenous communities. Design Studio projects are identified each year, building upon various community requests. Partnerships between faculty members and community groups are integral to this course.

Course taught by David Fortin.

ASG-1 - Canoe Build

The students designed and constructed a birchbark canoe guided by Elder Marcel Labelle. The canoe was gifted the name “Hope” and she was launched through a ceremony in Ramsey Lake.

Muriel Barker, Max Vos Coupal, Carolina Hanley, Rhiannon Heavens, Maeve MacDonald, Cole MacIsaac, Riya Patel, Derrick Pilon, Jozef Radvansky.

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ASG-2 - Mapping the Great Connector

The students created a large map to retrace the traditional trade route between the Gulf of Mexico and the sacred Akikodjiwan Falls in present-day Ottawa. This research was designed to assist Marcel’s vision for a future canoe trip that will reconnect Indigenous peoples along the journey.

Muriel Barker, Max Vos Coupal, Carolina Hanley, Rhiannon Heavens, Maeve MacDonald, Cole MacIsaac, Riya Patel, Derrick Pilon, Jozef Radvansky.

Map of the east coast of canada and the united states with site analysis information

ASG-5 - Final Design

The students designed a canoe building and cultural centre at Akikodjiwan Falls (Ottawa) OR near the opening of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico (New Orleans) where the class traveled to meet other Indigenous communities in the region as well as study their traditional boat making methods.