Architect：EVOQ Architecture

Location：Kuujjuaq, Canada; | ;View Map

Project Year：2023

Category：Research Facilities

EVOQ Architecture unveils its work on the new Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Centre, placing architecture at the service of healing for an institution that has been offering specialized services to residents of the 14 communities of Nunavik dealing with substance use and trauma since 1994. Created by the Inuit, for the Inuit, the Centre provides an inpatient program that responds to a regional problem by supporting people facing alcohol and drug addiction.

The new Regional Centre triples the capacity of the previous one, while providing a new healing program for families and specialized support for pregnant women. This important project is proof of the level of commitment offered by regional organizations and various governments to support Nunavimmiut in their pursuit of healing. Its official opening took place at the end of September 2023.

The reception is located at the intersection of the two wings, a true area of human confluence. The two wings connect around a qaggiq (inspired by the Inuit communal igloo, a circular ancestral place for meeting and sharing), and the true beating heart of the centre. On that level and on the floor above, public spaces, therapy services, and offices are located. Two smaller, more intomate qagguit are located at both ends of the accommodation wings, as well as living quarters serving the clients, or “guests”.

The fall colours of the Nunavik landscape pervade the interiors, bathing them in rich tones of oranges, green,s and ochres. The exterior draws its inspiration from the urpik. The muted exterior cladding emphasizes the ends of the wings; the warm colour of the wood clad qagguit evokes the soft glow of the arctic willow catkins, or buds.

Several artworks were integrated into the project, allowing local artists to express the culture of the community:  

Architects: EVOQ Architecture - Alain Fournier, Carolyne Fontaine, Éric Moutquin, Félix Dallaire, Louis Babin-St-Jean, Marc-André Sorel, Catherine Fontaine, Huayna Sanchez, Marcel Goulet, Sébastien Daigle, Jean-François Lefebvre, Isabelle Laurier, Karine Dieujuste, Éric Leblanc, Laurie Beaumont, Krystel Aspirot, Anne-Julie Nolet, Anya Messaoud-Nacer

Client: Isuarsivik

Civil Engineers: Atkins Réalis (SNC-Lavalin)

Structural Engineers: NCK

Mechanical-Electrical-Food-Service Engineers: BPA

Entrepreneur: Pépin Fortin Construction inc.

Lighting: Luxtec

Photographers: Samuel Lagacé (Tumiit Media)  + EVOQ Architecture 

ART WORKS:

Alec Gordon – Urpik

Sarah May – Tunniit & other grounds

Mattiusi Iyaituk, Benjamin Isaac, George Kaukai, Charleen Watt, Sarah May & Pascale Archambault – Qullialuk / Grand qulliq  

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