rely on consistent support rather than navigating housing renewal alone. It also ensures that cultural integration isn’t treated as decoration; instead, it is foundational, embedded into design, processes, programming, and governance from the very beginning. A powerful example of this integrated approach is Bevan Place, a 22-unit affordable housing complex in Terrace that recently underwent a transformative $4 million renovation. Working closely with M’akola Housing Society, a longtime AHMA member, the project included significant structural and aesthetic upgrades: landscaping, foundation enhancements, site drainage improvements, a new exterior envelope, roofing, stairs, lighting, gazebos, pathways, and sheds. Heat pumps replaced gas furnaces and gas hot water tanks, improving efficiency and supporting sustainability goals. But what sets Bevan Place apart is its cultural grounding. Two new Indigenous art installations – created by renowned artists Stan Bevan and Shawna Kiesman – were thoughtfully incorporated into the revitalised space. The project also involved collaboration with the community of Terrace and careful attention to local language, design, and ceremonial traditions. At the building’s opening, AHMA and M’akola hosted a culturally significant gathering that honoured the space, the people, and the history of the land on which it sits. “Everyone was proud, from the tenants to the society to the community and even passers-by in Terrace,” Atoine says. “The project turned out beautifully.” Today, Bevan Place stands not only as a testament to what renewal can achieve but as a model for future Indigenous housing projects – buildings where culture, quality, sustainability, and community connection coexist. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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