Illusuak Cultural Centre, Nain

The Illusuak Cultural Centre was completed in autumn 2017 in Nain, Labrador. It is devoted to the region's Inuit heritage. Its name, illusuak, is the Inuktitut word for the sod house, the traditional summer dwelling of the Labrador Inuit, which served as the starting point for the design.

The 12,000 square foot, twelve million dollar building houses permanent exhibits, an audio-visual performing arts theatre, a café, a gift shop and several offices.

In a region subject to heavy snow loads and severe winter conditions, the performance of the envelope was a central criterion during planning. That is the main reason Kebony was chosen to clad the exterior. The modified wood offers a long service life with no finish to reapply, and its natural appearance suits the coastal landscape. Design: Saunders Architecture. Contractor: BIRD Construction, Inc.