SENENCA COLLEGE

A SUSTAINABLE AND INDIGENOUS DESIGN APPROACH FOR THE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

Architects DIALOG & Two Row Architect
Owner Seneca College
Project Type Education / Sports
Location Toronto, ON
Year of Completion Estimated 2027
Size of project 100,000 square feet

The Seneca College Health & Wellness Centre project is a multi-story development that prioritizes the well-being of the entire Seneca community. As a key team member, Marc Northstar played a crucial role in the competition process, leveraging his expertise in computational scripts, 3D modeling, sustainable analysis, landscaping, and site plan diagrams to secure the project.

The design focuses on promoting sustainable building and development practices, incorporating indigenous design principles and mass timber as key features. A notable element of the design is the colorful stairs with integrated planters and engravings of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, a nod to the Seneca tribe's rich cultural heritage. This thoughtful design element reflects the integration of the Wheel of Life and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which emphasize the importance of respect, love, honesty, bravery, humility, wisdom, and truth.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, the project will significantly contribute to Seneca College's efforts towards sustainable practices and community development. Through his work on this project, Marc Northstar demonstrates his commitment to creating buildings that not only minimize environmental impact but also promote cultural sensitivity and community well-being.

The Seneca College Health & Wellness Centre project aims to construct a multi-story building spanning approximately 100,000 square feet, with a construction cost of $100 million. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the new facility will replace the aging gymnasium and fitness facilities, including the decommissioned arena, and focus on enhancing wellness in all aspects for the entire Seneca community.

In collaboration with indigenous architects from Two Row, our team integrated indigenous design principles and learned about the Wheel of Life and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, a set of guiding principles that emphasize the importance of respect, love, honesty, bravery, humility, wisdom, and truth. To incorporate these principles, we incorporated mass timber as a sustainable feature of the project.

One of the notable design elements is the colorful stairs with integrated planters, featuring engravings of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Marc Northstar contributed to this design element, which serves as a visual representation of the teachings and their significance to the Seneca community. The engravings are accompanied by the following teachings:

• Love (Nya:wëh): Show kindness, respect, and compassion towards all living things.

• Respect (Gadagwa’göh): Recognize the inherent value and worth of all people, animals, and the environment.

• Courage (Gäweñta’): Face challenges with strength and determination, even in the face of fear.

• Wisdom (Sagwëh): Seek knowledge and understanding from our elders, ancestors, and the natural world.

• Honesty (Gadadagwi’ioshöh): Speak and act truthfully, with integrity and authenticity.

• Humility (Ji:gön): Recognize our own strengths and limitations, and act with modesty and respect towards others.

• Truth (Do:göhsönyö’): Honor our commitments, be accountable for our actions, and seek justice and fairness for all.

Through this project, we aim to create a space that not only promotes physical wellness but also spiritual and emotional well-being, while honoring the rich cultural heritage of the Seneca community.

North is Active vs South is Passive

In the indigenous medicine wheel, the north and south directions embody distinct principles that guide the design of the facilities. The north, associated with activity and maturity, represents the active principle, while the south, linked to learning and growth, embodies the passive principle.

This duality is reflected in the roles assigned to each direction. The north is associated with the mature and wise, who are tasked with the active responsibility of leading and guiding, symbolized by the power of the running winds. In contrast, the south is connected to the youth, who are given the passive role of learning from the earth, representing the receptive and humble attitude necessary for growth and development.

The facilities on each side of the campus are designed to reflect this philosophical division. The recreation gym on the north side provides a space for individuals to engage in physical activity, asserting their agency over their bodies and promoting a sense of empowerment. Conversely, the multicultural health and wellness center on the south side emphasizes the importance of introspection and passive contemplation for personal growth and development, encouraging individuals to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

By incorporating the principles of the indigenous medicine wheel, the design of the facilities promotes a holistic approach to wellness, acknowledging the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.

To create a sustainable and healthy building, several strategies were incorporated into the design. To maximize natural daylight, the design features skylights, large windows, and light shelves, reducing the need for artificial lighting and promoting occupants' well-being and productivity.

The structure's embodied carbon was minimized through the use of mass timber, a renewable and sustainable material that sequesters carbon dioxide and reduces the building's environmental impact. This choice not only reduces the carbon footprint but also promotes a healthier indoor environment.

The recreational sports area was designed with sustainable materials and practices in mind, promoting healthy living and environmental stewardship. The design also prioritized indoor environmental quality, incorporating 100% outdoor air with energy recovery ventilation units to pre-condition the air and remove contaminants.

To reduce water consumption, a rainwater harvesting system was proposed, utilizing below-grade storage for rainwater collection and reuse in landscape irrigation. This strategy not only conserves water but also reduces the building's stormwater runoff.

To minimize the operational carbon footprint, a highly efficient heat pump plant was proposed for heating and cooling. Additionally, a thermal battery, such as a geo-exchange bore field, was suggested to provide stable year-round thermal energy, further enhancing the building's energy efficiency.

By incorporating these sustainable strategies, the building design promotes a healthy and productive environment for its occupants while minimizing its impact on the environment.