Story

Design Program:  The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Gun Lake Tribe   wished to have a gathering place designed and constructed that could be utilized by tribal members and their community. The Luella Collins Community Center was designed to reflect tribal heritage and traditions, and was constructed in a very serene wooded area surrounded by prairie grasses and wild flowers common to the area. The main floor entrance of the Community Center is facing the east, while the building exit faces the west. The interior is constructed with very large natural timbers and wood, with a field stone fireplace in the center, making it the focal point of the tribal gathering room. The main floor also hosts a small kitchen area and offices. The lower level has a spacious gathering area to be used for receptions or meetings, and also has additional office space.

Design Challenges: Because the Community Center was designed to have a very rustic, open feel, it made it a challenge to choose the correct HVAC units for this project because the amount of duct work had to be minimized for routing purposes. The openness of the ceiling also made it difficult to install the electrical system and fixtures, along with the routing of the fire protection system.