Queen's University Indigenous Gathering Space

The Indigenous Gathering Space at Queen’s University is an outdoor classroom inspired by the traditional wakaaiigan (teaching lodge), a bentwood structure clad in birchbark, historically used for knowledge sharing by the Anishinaabeg. Designed collaboratively with Indigenous faculty and advisors, the outdoor-integrated learning space is usable year-round, featuring a central fire and audio-visual capabilities. Insulated rolling doors allow the space to open to the four cardinal directions or be fully enclosed. The curved glulam frame and cedar-clad ribs highlight the warmth and flexibility of wood, with daylight above connecting sky and earth. The landscape integrates Indigenous principles, transforming an old service road into a pedestrian path lined with native plantings and informal learning  and seating areas.