WINNER OF A 2024 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARD OF MERIT
Interventions that recognize the importance of place are key to designing appropriate structures. The Tofino fish pier is just this—an intervention that celebrates the importance of the existing vernacular through minimal contemporary interventions that visually integrate into the collection of constructions. The work is respecting the past, while considering contemporary ways of elevating the existing buildings. The focus on culture and surrounding community further enhances this work, and strengthens its purpose as a part of the heritage of this place.
– Matthew Hickey, juror
LOCATION Tofino, British Columbia
In 2009, the BC Supreme Court recognized the Aboriginal rights of the five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations—Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Mowachaht/Muchalaht—to catch and sell all species traditionally harvested within their territories. Since then, Canada and the Five Nations have been exploring ways to develop economic fisheries that benefit First Nations and coastal communities. However, fifteen years later, most T’aaq-wiihak fishermen (that is, those who conduct fishing with the permission of the Ha’wiih, or hereditary chiefs) still lack a physical hub to fully realize the economic, social, and political potential recognized by these Indigenous rights.
Located within the traditional land (Ha-Hoothlee) of the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation, the Tofino Fish Pier aims to create such a hub, providing a unique opportunity to support Tla-o-qui-aht stakeholders while engaging in the decolonization and adaptive reuse of a colonial landmark. The original fish pier was constructed in 1962 as a prawn and salmon processing facility for the Tofino Packing Company, and later expanded with a large ice plant for filling the storage holds of deep-sea fishing trawlers. Today, it stands as one of the last remaining purpose-built timber ice plant structures on the West Coast.
The project—guided by the Nuu-chah-nulth word kwisłap, meaning ‘do things differently’— aims to preserve Tofino’s architectural landmark, while creating a safer, more inclusive space for Nuu-chah-nulth peoples. The ice plant is being repurposed as a gathering space and exhibition room for Nuu-chah-nulth artists and events, topped with a First Nations artist residency studio in the former mechanical loft. It will also include a marine research and education wet-lab and Coastal Nations Auxiliary Coast Guard deployment office. Cannery buildings will be repurposed as Nuu-chah-nulth fisheries offices and community spaces for Indigenous marine education, as well as hosting a pop-up seafood café during peak tourism season.
Future phases anticipate the restorative dredging and expansion of the historic basin to reintroduce a marina, the construction of a pavilion for fish landing and grading, and the construction of a new pier to host a seasonal Nuu-chah-nulth Market and to support Indigenous-led marine tourism activities.
The vision for the Tofino Fish Pier is founded on long-term partnerships with Tla-o-qui-aht start-ups and non-profit organizations that uphold Nuu-chah-nulth principles of stewardship and foster community empowerment through promoting traditional values. Overall, the project aims to reappropriate this colonial industrial fishing landmark as a means to support reconciliation with Nuu-chah-nulth peoples, serve underrepresented communities, and celebrate Canada’s diverse heritage.
CLIENT Wolfgang Rieder | ARCHITECT TEAM Michael Leckie, Alastair Bird, James Eidse, Cameron Koroluk, Denon Vipond | CODE McAuley Architectural Consulting Inc. | STRUCTURAL Chalten Engineering Ltd. | MARINE STRUCTURAL Hugh Tuttle Engineering Ltd. | MECHANICAL Avalon Mechanical Consultants Ltd. | ELECTRICAL Archos Engineering Consultants | CIVIL McElhanney Ltd. | AREA 800 m2 | BUDGET $4 M | STATUS Under construction | ANTICIPATED COMPLETION May 2026 (Phase 1)
As appeared in the December 2024 issue of Canadian Architect magazine
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You can read our jury’s full comments here.
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