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Projects / Naskapi CLSC

Located in Kawawachikamach, about ten kilometers northeast of Schefferville, the new Naskapi CLSC is rooted in a demanding northern environment.

Sector of activity

Workspace

Client

Société québécoise des infrastructures

Budget

13M $

Year

2017

Location

Kawawachikamach

Photography

Alexandre Guérin

Awards

Prix d'excellence Cecobois 2019 - Structure avec ossature légère en bois

Northern architecture designed for the land

Designed by STGM Architecture, this 2,250 m² facility was created to meet the climatic realities of Northern Quebec while blending harmoniously into the landscape. Its dark silhouette, inspired by a wind-eroded rock formation, shelters the openings and creates protected alcoves, enhancing user comfort in all seasons.

A site-integrated and community-focused design

The CLSC is organized around a central welcoming volume, from which four distinct wings extend. These wings house essential services for the community: emergency care, dentistry, general and ambulatory health services, rehabilitation, social services, staff support, and administration. The building’s layout, volume, and material choices—Eastern cedar and white siding—were carefully selected to respect the site and minimize the impact of prevailing winds. The project aims for symbiosis between architecture, climate, and local culture.

A prefabricated structure, delivered with precision

The entire building is built on a lightweight wood frame, prefabricated in Beauce by Structure RBR. This approach helped reduce construction time and ensured high-quality execution despite the site’s remoteness. The modules were transported by train over 1,200 km, demonstrating a well-orchestrated logistics strategy and an innovative approach to remote construction.