Driftpile Health Centre

The Driftpile Health Centre, a new single-level healthcare facility that responds to the community’s growing healthcare needs with a culturally grounded, holistic approach to care. Once complete, the facility will offer an array of services under one roof, including physiotherapy, dental care, diagnostic testing, and general medical treatment. Working in collaboration with the Driftpile Cree Nation, the centre incorporates spaces that reflect and respect the community’s cultural values. A dedicated traditional medicine room and a large community health room provide space for Indigenous healing practices and culturally relevant programming.

The design of this centre combines durability, flexibility, and architectural expression. The building is founded on concrete piles. The main floor is a concrete slab on grade that provides a stable and resilient base. Above, a structural steel frame forms the primary lateral system, using steel beams and HSS columns to accommodate the facility’s open interior spaces. The roof structure features sloped and curved steel decking, creating a dynamic profile that supports the building’s distinctive form and opens into a clerestory that brings natural light into the heart of the facility.

Glulam elements are prominently used at the entrance canopies, introducing warmth and a natural aesthetic that aligns with the cultural values of the community At the core of the building, a central mezzanine rises above the roofline, creating a focal point that enhances the building’s presence.

Construction began in fall 2024, with anticipated completion set for late 2025.