Saulteau Cultural Centre featured in 2026 A+ Awards by Architizer Magazine

MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — A northeast B.C. First Nation’s Cultural Centre is being lauded by a major architecture publication.

Situated in Moberly Lake, Saulteau First Nation’s (SFN) Cultural Centre has been featured in Architizer’s A+ Awards in the cultural and expo centre category.

Although not a finalist, the building received a “special mention” nomination. 

Architizer is a publication founded by American architect Marc Kushner during the 2008 financial crisis. 

Architizer’s A+ awards, honouring global architecture, were first issued in 2013.

Designed by Vancouver-based Iredale Architecture, a write-up of the nomination says the building on SFN grounds “promotes connection and culture through a wide variety of volumetric experiences, ranging from small and intimate to large and communal.”

The write-up acknowledges the building is more “than just a museum,” and was designed with an aim to foster community.  

“Each space [is] dedicated to teaching traditions and learning through classes, performances and gatherings,” reads part of the article on Architizer’s website.

The Cultural Centre was opened in July 2024 and features a gymnasium, gathering hall, full commercial kitchen, displays that offer visitors an in-depth understanding of SFN culture and more.

Mechanical systems in the facility are assisted by the Nation’s biomass plant, with waste wood complementing the building’s energy supply with sustainable energy, according to the article.

When it opened, SFN chief Rudy Paquette suggested this would “open doors for his Nation and others within the Treat 8 community to prosper together.”

“Utilizing our values and principles, we are creating a strong foundation on culture and tradition for future generations,” said Paquette.

According to the Architizer A+ Awards website, Architizer founded the awards on the principle of encompassing “the many facets of design,” recognizing and acknowledging great architecture is “driven as much by concepts and materials as by formal and programmatic decisions.”

To see the entire article, visit Architizer’s A+ Awards website. Energeticcity.ca has reached out to SFN executive director Nathan Paquette for further comment.