About the Session:
Recently, an increasing number of Indigenous communities have decided to take charge of their built environment. They are now insisting that their built environments speak of and reflect their cultures. The communities have realized that they can and must demand this. However, this means that they have to learn how to participate in the creative process that leads to the development of their built environments. They are not expected to suddenly develop design professional skills (although this will come), but rather are expected to understand what role they can play in the design process. They must become aware of how to work with their architectural partners and, especially, how important and significant their input is in the design process.
Introducing Indigenous-initiated projects as part of architectural design studios have proven quite successful for both the communities and the soon-to-become architects.
A recently completed design studio will be presented; the Kanien’keha: ka Onkwawén: na Raotitiohkwa Linguistic, Cultural and Theater Center project in the community of Kahnawà: ke.third-year students learn how to reach out to communities and meet with them to discover the specificities of the culture in order to achieve the level of understanding and sensitivity that are the prelude to co-creation and participative design. Students go through the four essential steps that prepare and guide them through the design process; identifying the traditional owners, gathering information, building relationships, and visioning. At the same time, community members accompany the students through these steps. The co-creation exercise is an ideal forum to initiate real dialogue. It is truth and reconciliation not just in words but in action, trying to make a difference by learning to work together.
Subject Matter Experts:
Alain Fournier, FRAIC, OAQ, OAA, ALBNL, AANB, AIBC, NWTAA / Architect, Managing Partner, EVOQ Architecture
Kawennanóron Lisa Phillips, Executive Director, Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center
Pricing:
Member: $50 / Non-Member: $75
Intern Member: $35 / Intern Non-Member: $50
Student: $25 (must be an RAIC student associate member)