Vancouver-based design firm HCMA has completed the design of the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. It is located in British Columbia and is the first zero-carbon-certified building in the country. It opened this year and is located on the sight of what was once the Glenbrook Ravine headquarters.

The Canadian studio speaks about the design concept to Dezeen, stating “təməsew̓txʷ aims to make a strong, civic statement while being sensitive to the natural environment and human-scale experience. Our goal was to design a building that would both integrate with its historical context and be a source of pride for the community.” The name was selected by a panel of Indienous community members and it means ‘sea otter house.’

Image Credit: Nic Lehoux