Ulkatcho Wellness Centre

The Ulkatcho First Nation are a Dakelh Community in the central interior of British Columbia. Like many remote First Nations, they lack the inherent infrastructure located on-Nation to provide the necessary services to their community.

The situation compounded itself during the pandemic, forcing the Nation to declare a state of emergency due to the drug, alcohol, and opioid crisis within the community. In response, Next Architecture committed to help the Nation convert a former chapel into a wellness centre that can help those struggling with addiction find a temporary home on-Nation when they have completed their addiction therapy.

The design included an emergency shelter for those in need of immediate help along with a caretaker suite and 4 temporary bedrooms. Offices on the main floor can be used as counseling space and a large gathering space can be used for group therapy sessions. In the basement, a kitchen is included to teach clients healthy eating habits and food security, in addition to more gathering spaces. This addresses the 4 key elements of mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health, a focus of the teachings of the First Nation.