When Figure3 joined a team of designers and architects to develop a design concept for a large Canadian energy company’s new headquarters, it quickly became clear that the project’s mandate extended beyond conventional design thinking. The client’s vision encompassed not only functionality and aesthetics but also a deeper commitment to sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
The energy sector has a significant impact on land use and environmental sustainability, making it crucial to integrate this reconciliation commitment into the new headquarters’ design. This represented a step toward fostering stronger relationships with local Indigenous communities.
Respecting the history of place and space is fundamental to Figure3’s design philosophy. This becomes even more critical when working with Indigenous cultures, where the land holds deep spiritual, cultural, and historical significance. The project’s design was a conscious effort to honour these values, requiring a thoughtful approach that acknowledged the land’s history while planning for its future.
The Right Team and a Collaborative Process Rooted in Indigenous Knowledge
As a multidisciplinary team, we recognized that our strength lay in the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our members. A key partnership was formed with Linda Makins, Principal at Makinsachange Creative Environments Inc.
We were honoured to collaborate with Linda, benefiting not only from her 40 years of design experience but also from her perspective as an Indigenous woman bridging both identities. Linda, a descendant of an esteemed line of healers and spiritual leaders, has immersed herself in the traditional teachings of her Mi’kmaq heritage for the past 20 years.
A guiding principle that emerged from our work with Linda was the Indigenous concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing," which encourages viewing the world through both Indigenous and Western lenses. This approach fosters a more inclusive and holistic design process.
“The convergence of sustainable innovation with Indigenous principles is at the heart of the collaborative design process. Two-Eyed Seeing ensures that we honour both perspectives, creating balanced and well-rounded decisions.”
Our exposure to Indigenous knowledge imparted a profound shift in our thinking about sustainability. The Indigenous belief in considering seven generations back and seven generations forward became another fundamental principle that influenced our work on this project and continues to shape our design approach. This philosophy encourages long-term, holistic thinking, where today’s actions are seen through the lens of their impact on future generations. It challenged us to think beyond immediate needs and create spaces that would serve as a positive legacy—an approach deeply aligned with sustainability and community.
Identifying objectives in the context of incorporating Indigenous principles was key, and Linda guided the team in listening and learning from Indigenous knowledge, ecology, spiritual practices, and experiences. Central to this were the 7 Grandfather teachings of Love, Respect, Courage, Truth, Humility, Wisdom, and Honesty, which foster a culture of inclusion and healing.
The goal was to create a design that was sensitive and inclusive of the local Indigenous community, its practices, and beliefs, while forging an equitable connection between people and place.
Weaving Together the Design Principles
With a collaborative framework and key objectives in place, the design team set out to harmonize these principles with the practical needs of the project. The values of inclusion, sustainability, and respect for Indigenous traditions were not merely theoretical but deeply embedded in the design. Key Indigenous symbols, such as the medicine wheel—representing the cycles of life—became central to the concept.
“When we approached this project, we focused on placing Indigenous symbolism at the core of our design. The medicine wheel became a central guiding motif.”
Each floor of the four-story building aligned with a quadrant of the medicine wheel, symbolizing one of the natural elements and life stages, creating a space that was both functional and spiritually significant.
This design harmonized science, nature, and Indigenous traditions with contemporary functionality:
Concourse Level – People, Science, and Nature: The social heart of the building, featuring the Reconciliation Area, which symbolizes unity and healing. This level also emphasizes community, connection, and well-being.
- The cafeteria was inspired by the harvest and the story of The Three Sisters, corn, bean and squash.
- The wellness area, which incorporates fitness facility, yoga room, abolition room, prayer room and treatment rooms, was designed as an area of protection and refuge overlooking the meadow and the ceremonial circle integrated into the landscape.
Ground Floor – Earth, East, Tobacco: Representing birth and new beginnings, guests are greeted at this level, which uses natural materials to embody stability and growth. The colours take inspiration from sunrise and the first quadrant of the medicine wheel.
Second Floor – Fire, South, Sage: Representing adolescence and vitality, the design embodies energy, creativity, and transformation; this level houses collaborative spaces and training rooms. The colours take inspiration from fire and the second quadrant of the medicine wheel.
Third Floor – Water, West, Sweetgrass: Representing maturity and knowledge, the design embodies reflection and growth, and houses the Innovation Center and boardrooms. The texture of the woven sweetgrass is mimicked in the textiles like a cable knit sweater. The colours take inspiration from the harvest season and the third quadrant of the medicine wheel.
Fourth Floor – Wind, North, Cedar: Representing wisdom and introspection, the design embodies contemplation and knowledge sharing; this floor houses a library and quiet zones. The colours take inspiration from the winter season, snow covered trees and the fourth quadrant of the medicine wheel.
An emphasis was placed on specifying natural materials and incorporating organic shapes and biophilia to ensure the space remained grounded and connected to the land. Flexible, intentional spaces were created to encourage learning, community gathering, and the practice of cultural ceremonies.
At its core, design is more than creating functional spaces—it is about telling stories, honouring histories, and building bridges between contemporary design and traditional wisdom. As Suzanne Wilkinson noted, “Design is storytelling. Indigenous cultures communicate through stories, symbolism, and a deep respect for history. This connection between our creative processes allowed us to engage with Indigenous traditions more meaningfully.” By integrating Indigenous perspectives and embracing the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, Figure3 enriched its designs and deepened its respect for the land and its people. This approach not only enhanced this project but will continue to shape the firm’s future work, ensuring that cultural sensitivity and sustainability remain central to its design philosophy.
Indigenous voices are vastly underrepresented in the architecture and design (A&D) field, underscoring the importance of engaging with Indigenous knowledge keepers. By collaborating with these communities, we can help bridge this gap as allies, ensuring that their perspectives reach wider audiences and shape the spaces we create.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Figure3 Is committed to ongoing DEI learning initiatives and part of our shared responsibility to foster a more inclusive society and make a meaningful difference in the lives we design for. In 2023 Figure3 partnered with Linda Makins on various educational sessions, including a smudging ceremony and the preparation of tobacco bundles. In September 2024, Figure3 was joined by Trina Moyan for an interactive afternoon learning session. Trina is co-founder of Toronto-based Bell & Bernard, a First Nations consulting firm dedicated to including the histories and current realities of Indigenous peoples within urban planning projects, and member of the Toronto Indigenous Business Association.
Linda Makins
Trina Moyan
