SUSTAINABILITY STORY

The Indigenous people have always walked softly on the land, believing that each part of creation has a spirit of its own. Cedar is considered to be sacred, having given our people all we needed to make baskets, tools, shelter, clothing, and canoes. Elders teach that we should keep in mind seven generations ahead of us in everything we do, to ensure that we care for future generations in our present decisions.

The Cultural Centre was built to respect the landscape and act as a doorway to the forest. It is a "green" development, symbolizing the importance of responsible land stewardship, a value held by both Nations, and by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and an increasingly important value in the world.

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable design and construction. This comprehensive evaluation system addresses six major aspects of a building project - Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation and Design. Projects are evaluated based on the buildings performance in each of these six categories and the Canada Green Building Council, an independent 3rd Party Organization, awards LEED® certification to buildings which demonstrate that they have met with the standards of the system.

The architects, the engineering team and the construction contractors held themselves to a very high standard in designing and building the Centre. It is tucked into the natural incline to minimize excavation, a tree conservation strategy was determined before construction began, and 64% of the land was preserved as natural habitat. The centre has reduced energy by using double-glazed, thermally-broken, and low emissivity coated windows, non-incandescent lights, and occupancy monitors in most rooms. Water conservation is maximized through the use of water-efficient fixtures such as dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, and low-flow shower heads. Waste generated during construction was either recycled or salvaged to avoid disposal in landfills. As much as possible, materials used to construct the building were sourced regionally. Materials such as wood, paints, and sealants were carefully selected in order to minimize the release of undesirable air contaminants and to ensure that occupants experience high air quality. Water efficient spray heads utilize moisture monitors to determine when water is needed. The roof of the Iskten Hall is a planted "Green Roof".

The consultant team adopted an Integrated Design Process to deliver on the mandate of the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, resulting in a Cultural Centre that will be testimony to respect for nature far into the future.