WINNER OF A 2019 CANADIAN ARCHITECT STUDENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Pierre-Olivier Demeule, Université Laval
Advisor: Myriam Blais
The design for a tundra camp in Nunavik centres on local materials and know-how.
For the Inuit of Nunavik?the northern region of Quebec?the traditional activities of hunting and fishing contribute to a sense of place. Today, they are also linked to healing, recreation, crafts and socialization. From this point of view, tundra camps are the mainstays of local identity and Inuit well-being.
Despite its proximity to existing settlements, the land remains accessible to few, due to the high costs of travel and construction. Resilient buildings are needed, whose layout and materials can adapt to changing Northern conditions. What can be learned from Inuit camps, which both symbolize and provide access to the tundra" How can the know-how behind the existing modest buildings inform new, resilient spaces that maintain a beneficial relationship with the land" This project proposes a new tundra camp located two kilometres from the village of Salluit (62ºN), along a fjord accessible by canoe or ATV. The proposal?s key spaces facilitate the expression and transmission of local knowledge. It creates a restorative and responsive architectural environment, inviting spirit and soul to harmonize with the tundra.
The project explores the concept of sustainable vernacular architecture. It seeks to combine local know-how, local materials, and Northern const...