MCFD Port Moody

Through a consultation process with local Indigenous community representatives, a design concept guided by the theme of Mother Nature was chosen to define the direction of the project. Considering the sensitive nature of the services provided by the office, it was important for the space to convey a sense of calm and mindfulness using elements found in nature. The most important elements in the design of this space are the inclusion of the local Indigenous culture from the graphics to the design of the Circle Room along with the consideration of the acoustics throughout the whole office space. Cultural elements that play an important role within the local Indigenous communities have been incorporated together with a connection to our natural surroundings and can be seen throughout the office design through EGD and finishes.

Anticipating how the Circle Room would host smudging and drumming circles within an office environment, special consideration was given to acoustics to mitigate sound transfer through rigorous acoustic testing of the drumming vibration prior to construction. Pictured is Francis James singing and playing a hand drum and pow wow drum as part of a moving performance held to test the acoustics. Francis, whose traditional name is T’emotheltel, is a member of the Musqueam First Nation by marriage and originally from the Stó:lō people of the Fraser Valley. Francis is the lead singer of the Smokey Valley Drum group who have been singing since 1994. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the harmony between this moving performance, the architecture and the natural backdrop. This was truly a unique experience that informed the design as we moved the project forward.

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Project Details