Following the 2017 fire that destroyed Kugaaruk's only school, the new Arviligruaq Illiniarvik School was designed and constructed in just two-and-a-half years to restore K-12 education in the community. Understanding the school’s critical role as an educational and cultural hub, the architects at Parkin created a versatile, modern facility that meets the needs of students and serves as a communal space for residents.
The school's layout is tailored to accommodate students of various ages, with designated floors for kindergarten and older students. Each floor includes a commons area, providing dedicated semi-public spaces. Designed to foster community interaction, the facility includes a gymnasium, an exercise room, a library, a canteen, and multi-purpose classrooms for public and semi-public events.
The front entrance welcomes visitors with high ceilings, a sweeping staircase, and design elements reflecting the surrounding landscape, such as wood and metal flourishes inspired by ocean waves. A row of coloured windows fills the lobby with natural light, enhancing the welcoming ambiance.
Repurposing materials from the previous structure, stones from the original school’s iconic archway were integrated into the new building’s trophy case, preserving a sense of continuity and community heritage. Accutech Engineering, the structural design firm, earned national recognition for its work on this project, receiving the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada’s "Engineering a Better Canada Award" and the "Award of Excellence" in 2020.
Renamed Arviligruaq Illiniarvik, which means "bowhead whale," the school honours the cultural significance of the whale species and its historic return to the area. The new school, as a beautiful and modern facility, has renewed pride in the community and increased student enrollment, providing a space that meets the educational and social needs of Kugaaruk’s residents.
Project Overview
Status: Built
Location: Kugaaruk, NU, CA
Firm Role: Architect
