Elders' housing reflects Inuit traditions

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When the Elders of Arviat, an Inuit community on the west shore of Hudson Bay, were asked to contribute their ideas on housing project for seniors and people with disabilities, they drew deeply on their own traditions.

They wanted the building to be a familiar shape, like the igloo (snow house) and the quamaq (skin house), and the interior layout to resemble that of traditional shelters. This meant sleeping areas grouped together at one end of the building, a central cooking area, and plenty of room to sew skins and furs, or to carve soapstone.

The design developed by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation closely reflects the preferences expressed by the Elders like designing sleeping quarters and windows to help protect against polar bear attacks. For its well-considered the imaginative response to the residents' requirements, NWTHC received an Honorable Mention in the 1994 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Awards, in the concept and Design category.

In accordance with the Elder's wishes, the building's eight sleeping/sitting rooms are arranged in a circle, following the sun's path from east to west. Each of these rooms has a wheelchair-accessible half-bath with vanity and toilet. The rooms are connected by a wide circular corridor, equipped with handrails and wheelchair bumpers.

This corridor widens in two places to form small conversation lounges, illuminated by high south-facing windows. The impact of the incoming light is softened by suspended cedar trellises, which also create the illusion of a lower ceiling in these areas.

The building has a sewing room, a large deck for soapstone carving, a laundry room, a food storage area with a butchering table for game, and a kitchen. Adjacent to the kitchen is the living and dining room, which has big windows looking on to the community centre.

In keeping with the Elders' preference for sitting on the floor, the building has very little furniture. Interior colors are the soft earth tones with which Inuit Elders are comfortable.

The main entry to the building is from the east, via stairs and a series of ramps and observation decks. The first deck provides access to a cold storage area for country foods, and also connects to a separate building where noisy equipment, such as boilers and pumps, are housed.

The building's second deck offers residents views of the sea, and the centre of Arviat where the Northern Store and the school are located. From the third deck - the actual entrance to the building - residents can watch traffic going to and from the airport; an important feature, since people's coming and goings are a main topic of daily conversation.

"A complete package, innovative and responsive," was the comment of one of the Aboriginal experts on the national selection panel for the CMHC awards.

The CMHC Housing Awards are presented every two years to group or individuals who have helped improve access, availability and affectability of housing. Past awards cycles have focused on the housing needs of seniors, young families, and people with disabilities. The theme of the 1994 Housing Awards was Sharing Successes in Native Housing.