École Waterford Springs School
February 16, 2025
École Waterford Springs School features SILEX fiberglass windows supporting natural light, durability, and energy-efficient performance for a modern school facility.
Building with Purpose
The Tla’amin Youth Centre and the Power of Indigenous-Led Design
Nestled on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, the newly built Tla’amin Youth Centre—či čʊy ʔaye & ayiš ʔaye (“Cousins’ House”)—is more than a building. It’s a living expression of cultural identity, community resilience, and environmental stewardship.
As Canada continues to recognize and support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, projects like this show us what true community-led development looks like when rooted in heritage and built for the future.
A Place for Youth, Grounded in Tradition
The name či čʊy ʔaye & ayiš ʔaye, meaning “Cousins’ House,” speaks to the heart of the project—a space for youth to gather, learn, grow, and connect. Designed and led by the Tla’amin Nation, this multi-use facility is part community centre, part cultural hub, and part youth sanctuary.
It supports language revitalization, intergenerational storytelling, skills training, and programming rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems. It offers a safe and welcoming environment where young people can be proud of who they are and where they come from.
Social Impact Through Indigenous Architecture
Indigenous-led design prioritizes place-based thinking, meaning every detail—from location to materials—responds to the land, the people, and their shared history.
This project is a model for how infrastructure can support community well-being, cultural preservation, and self-determination. It empowers youth not only by giving them space but by showing that their culture, voices, and futures matter.
The centre’s open concept, natural materials, and welcoming warmth reflect Tla’amin values of togetherness, respect, and reciprocity.
SILEX Windows: A Commitment to Community
SILEX is proud to support Indigenous-led projects with sustainable, high-performance window systems made right here in Canada. We believe that building for the future means listening to communities, respecting the land, and designing with purpose.
Check out our Commercial Projects page to see more inspiring builds like this one.
