Our Sustainable Building
The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre not only plays a crucial role in promoting conservation efforts for desert wildlife but also exemplifies sustainability with its eco-friendly design. The centre has earned several awards for its innovative architectural approach, which prioritizes environmental consciousness.
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Designed by Bruce Haden of Hotson, Bakker, Boniface Haden and completed in 2006, the building features a semi-underground structure. This design honors the traditional winter dwellings of the Okanagan First Nations while utilizing the insulating benefits of the surrounding hillside.
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A key feature of the building is its use of rammed earth, an ancient construction technique adapted for modern use. Concrete, mixed with local soil and mineral pigments, is poured in layers and tamped down individually. The thick rammed earth walls are reinforced with insulation and steel, significantly enhancing energy efficiency and earthquake resistance.
Pine-Beetle Damaged Wood – The decorative wood accents used throughout the building are made from local blue-stained pine. This wood has been naturally discolored by microscopic fungi, giving it a distinctive blue tint. The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre was one of the pioneers in promoting the use of blue-stained wood from pine beetle-damaged trees.
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Green Roof – A layer of 20 cm (8 inches) of soil covers the concrete roof, planted with desert vegetation to create a "green roof." This design enhances the building’s aesthetic, seamlessly blending it with the surrounding desert environment.
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Radiant Heating and Cooling – The centre utilizes an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, featuring hot water radiant pipes within the floors for winter warmth, and cold water radiant pipes in the ceilings for summer cooling. This eliminates the need for traditional air conditioning, further contributing to the building's sustainability.
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Low-Water-Use Features – To minimize water waste in the desert environment, the centre is equipped with waterless urinals and dual-flush, low-water-use toilets. The outdoor landscape is designed with native and dryland plants that require no irrigation, reinforcing the centre’s commitment to water conservation.
