BENBOWOPKA HEALING LODGE

Year // 2019

Location // Blind River, Ontario

Project Type // Healing Lodge/Treatment Centre Feasibility Study

Team Size // 2

Role // Lead Designer, Conceptual Design, Meeting with Clients, 3D model, Site plan, Floor plan, Sections, Feasibility study report, Cost estimating

Medium Used // Revit,Enscape, Photoshop

Client // James Baraniuk

Budget // 7 million

The Benbowopka Healing lodge is a proposed building design for a large facility at the current Benbowopka Treatment Centre in Blind River, Ontario. The treatment centre provides a culturally based residential treatment for community members that are battling with substance abuse. As Benbowopka is based on traditional teachings and connecting back to the land, the new building design reflects the Indigenous culture. The building design reflects the legend of Turtle Island. The Turtle is a symbol of life and earth, which is sacred to Indigenous people.

As the building reflects the Turtle, the main building becomes the shell of the Turtles back and the four smaller proposed buildings are it the feet. The building is placed directly facing the North direction. The main entrance of the building is in the East, and one can exit out all directions. The orientation of the building is important in the Indigenous culture as each direction has a significant meaning.

Amphitheater / Culture Room View