What will Nunavut's future heritage centre look like? Four architect teams make their pitch

Four teams of architects are dreaming up different visions of a new home in Iqaluit for Inuit cultural and historical artifacts.

The Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre, a project that has for years been discussed but never built, is now in the early stages. Four teams of architects have now been shortlisted for its design, and later this spring, one of those designs will be officially picked.

When finally completed, the $140-million centre will house thousands of artifacts, many of which have been stored elsewhere in the country.

Catherine Cole, the director of planning for the Inuit Heritage Trust, said the four teams were shortlisted from a list of 15 who applied. Those four teams travelled to Iqaluit last week to hear from community members and pitch their ideas for what the centre could look like.

"I think it's been great. The teams have been really excited to see the building site, to get a feeling for the community, to meet with various community groups and get more input into the process," Cole said.

She said the teams will have six weeks to develop full proposals. From there, an Inuit-majority jury will review the proposals and select a winning team.

Aasivak Arnaquq-Baril, a participant who listened to all four teams' pitches, said he was happy to see the architects spend a few days discussing their vision with community members.

"I'm just hoping to see that whichever firm is chosen, that they continue that line of community input to make sure it's what people really want," he said.

Mona Belleau, who is from Iqaluit, and Antti Nousjoki with Finland-based ALA Architects, said their vision is to make a one-of-a-kind building — "a true Inuit cultural centre," said Belleau.

"We also wanted to have something that was very humble in nature, but that is also striking in the design, where it's not something that seems to be transported into the community but that is really a part of the landscape," she said.

Nousjoki said he envisions it as a "freeform, handcrafted building" instead of a box sitting on the land.

"We've also made thoughts and drawings and sketches of how this building could become kind of like a star beacon for the whole region of Nunavut," he said.

"Cultural items would be stored in the middle, and then around them would be this complex and fun social space that radiates fun and enjoyment to the entire region."

Mason White with Lateral Office Architects and Lola Sheppard with Teeple Architects are part of the fourth group, and are both based in Toronto.