Projects
First Nations Technical Institute New Academic and Administration Building
Location: Deseronto
The First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) is located in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, in the county of Deseronto, Ontario. The First Nations youth both within, and beyond the local community have rendered it one of the most attractive, innovative and successful post-secondary Indigenous institutions in Canada. With the New Academic and Administration Building, FNTI will grow capacity, enhance its student experience, and advance a First Nations- specific research agenda in areas such as Indigenous agri-food production and indigenous food sovereignty, nomadic studies, trade routes, mental health and social work, community development, culture, justice court, environmental sustainability and social entrepreneurship. What is more, FNTI will offer a beacon of change amidst global efforts to address the current climate crisis. The new Academic and Administration Building will fuse centuries-old indigenous knowledge of and practices in regeneration, restoration and resilience with advanced building design and technology. In so doing, FNTI will achieve, on behalf of Indigenous peoples, a bold, net-zero – zero emission and zero carbon, holistic response to guardianship of land, wellness of people, place, and planet.
The built form is intended to have a quiet yet dignified presence in the landscape. It is composed of two adjoining volumes: a single-storey structure housing a demonstration kitchen dedicated to the Culinary Arts program and a larger two storey structure supporting Indigenous learning, social spaces and administrative functions. The sculptural roofscape with solar chimney and light monitors illuminate the night sky, denoting the continuity of Long House tradition and giving presence to FNTI in the vast landscape. The transparent ground floor condition creates a dynamic arrival sequence by establishing a visual connection between the forecourt, the entrance lobby, its accompanying gallery space and the generous atrium beyond.
Mechanical Systems
The open plan and central atrium work together to distribute heat and cool air throughout the building passively via natural ventilation and the aid of high-volume low velocity ceiling fans. Fresh temperate air is delivered through high efficiency energy recovery ventilators, while a variable refrigerant flow heat pump system provides supplemental heating and cooling via fan coil units. A rainwater harvesting and filtration system provides grey water for water closet flushing, irrigation, and supply for the indoor water feature. An electric domestic hot water boiler and instantaneous electric hot water heaters are used to provide domestic hot water needs of the client.