The Healing Spirit House project is a new mental health facility in Coquitlam, British Columbia. This healing house provides various outreach programs to area youth. It focuses on assisting individuals suffering from mental health issues and providing them with the support they need to be successful in society.

This 320,000-square-foot living area, LEED Gold certified, accommodates 38 beds, and holds enough space for various programs and recreational activities. These programs are for youth aged 12 to 17 with significant psychiatric and behavioral difficulties and those aged 14 and older with developmental disabilities.  The client prioritized a building that encourages a healing journey and creates a welcoming atmosphere for patients.

We needed a diverse team to realize the goals of this project. Riverview, where construction occurred, is home to historic Indigenous land with identified archeological sites. During the excavation, there was a good possibility of unearthing archaeological items, so we involved an archeologist throughout the excavation.

We also collaborated with B.C. Housing, The City of Coquitlam, and the Kwikwetlem First Nations. We collaborated with these stakeholders to protect the land and achieve success together. 

We built this facility on the traditional lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nations. We connected with them to review design requirements and sought their valued opinions. We engaged First Nations representatives in daily construction activities and decisions, with their site visits becoming crucial to the project's success. We also incorporated a large First Nations artwork package into the facility. It included a welcome figure, a spindle whorl, and a 40-foot canoe.

We solidified our strong relationship with the Kwikwetlem First Nations when they invited us to carry the traditional War Canoe and Blanket into the building, which is a great honor. First Nations peoples hold blankets in high regard and only gift them to those involved in worthy endeavors. We were lucky to work in a facility that positively impacts many lives, especially through the mental health youth programs.