Project Overview

The Nattilik Heritage Centre Expansion is a multi year design build project in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, scheduled for completion in 2025. The project includes the addition of approximately 5,500 sq. ft. to the original facility, enhancing its capacity to support cultural preservation and community use.

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Designed with an octagonal floor plan, the expansion utilizes a Triodetic foundation system combined with structural steel and wood framing. The facility will feature a state of the art HVAC system with advanced humidity controls to ensure the long term preservation of recovered artifacts.

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Developed in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Nattilik Heritage Society, Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Parks Canada, and the Government of Nunavut, the expansion will house significant artifacts from the Franklin Expeditions. The space is also designed to support the preservation and celebration of Inuit culture, with dedicated areas for language, arts, and crafts.

Project Execution

Delivering this project required detailed planning and coordination across a remote Northern location, with a strong focus on logistics and sequencing. Materials were carefully staged and marine crated in advance to align with sealift schedules, ensuring all components arrived on site within the limited shipping window.

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Pre construction planning was critical to account for all materials and reduce the risk of delays during construction. The team managed complex crew logistics and scheduling within a short seasonal construction period, maintaining efficiency across all phases.

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A key component of the work involved tying the new expansion into the existing facility. This required precise coordination to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels within the operational building, ensuring the integrity of both the structure and the artifacts it houses.

Key Outcomes

• Delivered a complex, multi year design build project in a remote Northern community

• Expanded the Nattilik Heritage Centre with a 5,500 sq. ft. addition designed for cultural preservation

• Integrated advanced HVAC and humidity control systems to protect valuable artifacts

• Successfully coordinated logistics, materials, and crews within limited sealift and construction windows

• Completed a seamless connection to the existing facility while maintaining controlled interior conditions

• Created a space that supports both tourism and year round community use