The Quilakwa Centre in Enderby received an award for using wood in innovative and beautiful ways.
Image Credit: Peter Sperlich/ Photo courtesy of Wood Design & Building Awards
March 02, 2016 - 9:00 PM
ENDERBY - A busy stopping place in Enderby has been recognized for its unique architectural character.
The new Quilakwa Centre, which houses the Splatsin boardroom and development corporation offices, a First Nation’s arts shop, gas bar, convenience store, and a Tim Hortons restaurant and drive-thru, attracted the attention of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The partnership behind the design, West Kelowna-based KH Designs, Splatsin, Omega & Associates Engineering and Sperlich Log Construction, were presented with an award as part of the Wood Design Awards program at an event Feb. 29.
“We are pleased to be recognized with this award from SFI and the Wood Design awards program. The Quilakwa Center is the cornerstone of Splatsin, as well as the community of Enderby. It embodies the original natural style of handcrafted log construction and also embraces and showcases our local culture,” Splatsin Chief Wayne Christian says in a media release.
The building was designed to replace a gas station and convenience store that burned down in 2012.
The new 13,520-square-foot, two-storey structure used heavy timber logs from Downie Timber lands in Revelstoke and the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation.
Splatsin members also harvested some of the special character logs from their own lands. These types of logs are typically not used by the forest industry because of their crookedness and character.
“The Quilakwa Center is a showcase for the beauty, versatility and durability of wood from responsibly managed forests that support sustainable communities,” Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. says. “This project is also a prime example of how SFI supports efforts to strengthen the vital links between healthy forests, responsible purchasing and sustainable communities.”
The entire structural frame of the building was engineered in massive solid-wood components. The log posts and beams, which are up to 40 inches in diameter, carry all the loads from the walls and roof panels through to the foundation. Using natural logs in a structure has been calculated to have the lowest environmental impact of any type of wall construction.
“When comparing the impacts of wall materials, there really is no other material that comes close to wood as a green building material. When we consider energy efficiency during use and the ability of log walls to store carbon, the environmental advantages are quite significant,” Kevin Halchuk, president of KH Designs, says.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016