Discover the partnership websiteLiving Atlas of Quality
6 August 2026Poster designed by McEwen School of Architecture masters students
| Resource type |  |
| Author | Cole Warner and Max Belanger |
| Copyright owner | Laurentian University SSHRC Partnership Grant |
| Type of viewpoint | Researcher |
| Language | English |
| Copyright | Creative Commons |
The təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster, British Columbia, is designed as a space for inclusion, community connection, and cultural recognition. Designed by HCMA Architecture + Design, the centre sits on the unceded territory of local Indigenous groups and occupies land that has been important to Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Its name, təməsew̓txʷ, which means “sea otter house” in the local indigenous language, was chosen in collaboration with Indigenous representatives to reflect both cultural and ecological values. The site used to host the Canada Games Pool, Centennial Community Centre, and a curling club, and it is located near the former headwaters of the Glenbrook Ravine. The new design brings back natural features like a waterway, honouring the natural features which once existed on the site, and reconnected the building to the land’s history and ecology. The facility emphasizes transparency with large, glazed façades that allow people to see in and out, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere. Through placing the atrium and main gathering spaces at the centre of the building, the design encourages social interaction and easy public access. Overall, təməsew̓txʷ shows how architecture can respond to cultural, ecological, and social contexts at the same time, creating a space that feels approachable, connected to the land, and meaningful to the community.
