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Exterior daytime view of low rise P’Egp’Ig’Lha Community Centre showing cladding with vertical boards of random, rough-sawn cedar finished in a charcoal colour; the irregular surface and deep shadows give the base of the building a feeling of solidity

P’Egp’Ig’Lha Community Centre

Location: Lillooet, B.C.
Architect: Urban Arts Architecture
Completion: 2014
Photo credit: Martin Knowles

Size
1,860 square metres

Owner
P’egp’íg’lha of the St’át’imc Nation

Structural Engineer
Equilibrium Consulting Inc.

Construction Manager
Heatherbrae Builders Co. Ltd.

Structural systems
Mass timber hybrid
Light wood frame (LWF)
Post-and-beam

Project materials
Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
Glue-laminated timber
Lumber
Plywood

To be enjoyed for generations

Located within the Central Interior-Fraser Canyon region of B.C., this all-wood facility, supported by vertical glue-laminated timber (glulam) posts, shallow glulam arches and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, is a community hall, band office and health centre while offering all the First Nations of the St’át’imc People amenities for traditional feasts and ceremonies.

Drawing on principles of traditional Indigenous dwellings

Situated near the town of Lillooet on benchlands high above the Fraser River, the centre’s heavy timber design draws on the principles of traditional Indigenous dwellings, sinking the structure partially into the ground to create a natural earth shelter. This design makes practical use of the rugged landscape and helps fend off the hot summers, harsh winters and persistent winds that are characteristic of the region.

All-wood design reflects a deep integration of T’ít’q’et First Nation culture

The T’ít’q’et First Nation chose wood—locally harvested, processed, manufactured and constructed partly by its members—for its cultural, environmental, economic and social benefits. Exterior finishes include tongue-and-groove cedar siding and pine soffits. Visitors to the building are greeted by decorative screens of cedar boards interwoven with vertical poles, recalling the exceptional basketwork of the traditional crafts of the T’ít’q’et. The health centre and lobby are clad in horizontal tongue and groove cedar siding, and the soffits of the roof overhangs and entrance canopy are finished in tongue-and-groove pine. Inside, the building features birch millwork, chosen for the similarity of its colour to the pine used outside.

“A beautiful building that will be enjoyed for generations. The wood design plays an important part amplifying the natural beauty by providing warmth and contrasting elements that are both visually pleasing and functional.”

KUKPI7 KEVIN WHITNEY, NAADAXDEEHIT (GITXSAN)UXWALMIXW (ST’AT’IMC)
Exterior daytime view of low rise P’Egp’Ig’Lha Community Centre showing cladding with vertical boards of random, rough-sawn cedar finished in a charcoal colour; the irregular surface and deep shadows give the base of the building a feeling of solidity
Photo credit: Martin Knowles

Case study: P’Egp’Ig’Lha Community Centre

Read the project profile to learn more about the construction and use of wood in the P’egp’ig’lha Community Centre.

Download the project profile (PDF)
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