Shawenjigewining Hall, located on the north campus of Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario, is a significant addition to the university's commitment to fostering innovative research, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge. The building's name, derived from the Anishinaabemowin language, means "The House of Kindness" or "House of Compassion," reflecting its role in integrating diverse perspectives, promoting inclusivity, and supporting interdisciplinary learning.
Designed by award-winning architectural firm Montgomery Sisan Architects in collaboration with the Architecture Counsel, the building uses high-performance materials, energy-efficient systems, and natural light to reduce its environmental footprint while enhancing the overall user experience.
An architecture of symbolism and wellness:
The design features integration and a blend of manmade and natural products. Concrete is paired with local limestone, creating a play between the two and giving the building a simple yet elegant look and feel.
With wellness at the centre of the design, the architectural teams maximized daylight and created visual connections within the building. The building's façade is designed to facilitate passive lighting, shading, and heating and to optimize the quantity and quality of incoming sun, drawing light deeper into the building core.
Four concrete panel types were arranged differently on each side of the building in deference to the solar path, the cardinal directions, and the unique conditions the building experiences throughout the day. Additionally, program spaces were distributed within the campus building according to their individual daylighting needs.
A hub for Indigenous knowledge:
One of the key features that sets Shawenjigewining Hall apart is its dedication to Indigenous knowledge and the integration of Indigenous culture into the building's fabric. Ontario Tech University's focus on reconciliation and decolonization is evident in the spaces designed for ceremonies, gatherings, and teachings. The hall provides a safe space for Indigenous students and faculty while fostering broader awareness and respect for Indigenous history, traditions, and knowledge systems among the wider campus community.
The hall includes areas for Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to engage with students, creating opportunities for the transmission of cultural knowledge and practices. These areas, along with the building's design elements—such as artwork by indigenous artists—celebrate indigenous heritage and ensure its presence is woven into the university's daily life.
Sustainable design features:
The project takes a sustainable design approach, designed to minimize energy consumption requirements and the consumption of high-carbon fuel sources, reduce embodied carbon emissions, and integrate opportunities for natural lighting, shading heating, and renewable energy generation.
Some sustainable design features include a high-performance building envelope, a 30% window-to-wall ratio, high-efficiency systems for artificial heating and cooling, and the use of LED fixtures and a heat recovery chiller to generate heat by connecting to the neighbouring geothermal field.
Inclusivity and community:
The construction of Shawenjigewining Hall signals Ontario Tech University's ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and diverse learning environment. By bridging the gap between indigenous and Western knowledge systems, the university is setting an example for other institutions in Canada and beyond.
