Tsleil Waututh Health and Administration Center

The Tsleil-Waututh Administration and Health Centre located in North Vancouver, BC is a two-storey mass timber structure, with a unique stepped wavy roof. The client wished to build a structure that would become a hub for the community that not only met their functional needs, but that was also an expression of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation. This was accomplished by creating three bays, which all serve a unique, yet united role in the programming offered throughout the building.  Each block consists of a series of undulating, stepped composite wood roof trusses, and since Tsleil-Waututh means People of the Inlet, the wave-like roof is a reflection of their close relationship with water. The architect also challenged the team to provide a main gathering space that was without vertical support, visually appealing, and maximized the sunlight that entered the building. Rather than provide a conventional steel truss which would obstruct light into the space and need to be concealed, Fast + Epp chose to pursue a composite truss design that allowed the roof structure to be exposed, but also maximized the light by way of eliminating diagonal truss elements.

Each bay consists of a mass timber roof and floor panels, supported by glulam post and beam framing, and features its own roof, consisting of a series of composite glulam trusses.  These 110’ long trusses cover a dramatic open concept plan that includes a cedar log Council chamber and the main gathering space. As the Tseil-Waututh Nation continues to prosper and grow, the Community Health and Administration building offers the Nation and its people bright, open spaces that meet the key requirements of the Master Plan – to create a structure that expresses Tseil-Waututh philosophy and cultural heritage, and a framework within which the community can continue to grow as its needs evolve.