The Ka Ni Kanichihk Expansion project is a 1490 m² two-storey addition to and partial renovation of the existing Ka Ni Kanichihk building located in the WestEnd area of Winnipeg. The main floor includes a welcoming reception area, a new daycare facility, and a fully accessible community teaching kitchen while the organizing element on the second floor is a cultural room in the form of a lodge for large community gatherings. The second floor design also includes a small spiritual wellness room for elders, quiet reflection areas, a wellness clinic, a library lounge, training rooms, and an administrative office area.
Ka Ni Kanichihk, an Indigenous-led organization, is the developer of the project while architects from Verne Reimer Architecture Incorporated and Brook McIlroy Indigenous Design Studio collaborated to design a culturally rich and functional environment, rooted in community values and wellness. Wolfrom Engineering Ltd, was the structural engineer on the project and Imperial Metal Industries Inc ws the erector. The hollowcore was supplied by LafargeHolcim Precast and M Builds was the general contractor on the project.
By incorporating DELTABEAM® into the project, additional headroom was successfully created, enhancing the open areas in specific locations of the building. This design choice contributed to a more spacious and welcoming environment. DELTABEAM® also proved to be a cost-effective solution for the challenges it successfully addressed.
DELTABEAM® Composite beams were delivered in 2022 and the Ka Ni Kanichihk Expansion was completed in 2023.
