Cheko’nien House

Cheko’nien House at the University of Victoria in BC is a warm, wood-centric student housing project designed to honour the land’s Indigenous history. The design integrates the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples' connection to the land, with input from Indigenous Elders and faculty shaping both the building process and site preservation. The hybrid structure of mass timber, steel, and concrete maximizes efficiency, with Douglas fir CLT floors, walls, and roofs supported by glulam columns. Specially designed hexagonal columns and custom steel trusses add distinction to the multi-purpose room, while generous glazing and timber elements blur the line between indoors and out. LEED v4 Gold and Passive House certified, the building reduces thermal bridging and insulation needs, showcasing wood’s role in energy efficiency and environmental impact reduction.