Despite living in extremely remote communities, Nunavik?s Inuit do not hesitate travelling long distances by plane to visit each other or to attend an important cultural event. Since fall 2017, the 10,000 people living in one of Nunavik?s 14 communities can now gather in a new Cultural Centre located in the Northern Village of Kuujjuaraapik, north of the 55th parallel. Designed by Blouin Orzes architectes, the building was originally planned as a showcase for the popular Inuit Games, and the facility now lends itself to all sorts of events, from storytelling, singing and dancing to concerts, films, banquets and other types of gatherings.
The 680-square-metre building is located near the mouth of the Great Whale River on a sand dune of exceptional beauty, a unique feature of Kuujjuaraapik. The slightly lopsided one-and-a-half-storey exterior volume seems to have been shaped by the strong winter winds. A light aerial structure signals the entrance portico, facing south, echoing the porch of the nearby church, the village?s oldest structure. The protected portico can be reached through a gently sloping concrete ramp, which creates an additional gathering and play area for the community. The strong lines of the front façade are projected inside the building and give life to the well-lit entrance lobby. Given the building?s function and because of high heating costs, the lobby is the only area of the building with large openings.
It opens directly to the main hall, which can a...