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A Building Rooted in Place

The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre will be located at 301 Olsen Road in Tofino, on the traditional territories of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation). This three-storey, 10,464 sq. ft. zero-carbon mass timber facility has been thoughtfully designed by community and experts to reflect the values, cultures, landscapes, and aspirations of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region. 

Every aspect of the building has been shaped by community engagement, Indigenous values, and a commitment to create welcoming, inclusive, and accessible spaces that will serve the region for generations to come. 

 

Spaces Designed for Community

UNESCO Visitor Centre

The Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region welcomes more than 750,000 annual visitors. This space will offer an interactive experience for residents and visitors, sharing the stories, cultures, ecosystems, and global significance of the region.

The UNESCO Visitor Centre: 

  • Features interactive exhibits exploring biodiversity, culture, climate, and conservation. 
  • Showcases Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and the stories of the region. 
  • Inspires stewardship through engaging, place-based learning experiences. 
  • Shares regional research, innovation, and community initiatives with local and global audiences. 
  • Encourages longer visitor stays and supports the local economy. 
  • Creates the region's first permanent UNESCO visitor experience.
Spaces Designed for Community

Indigenous Elders Room

A culturally safe gathering space dedicated to Indigenous-led programming, language revitalization, ceremony, storytelling, and intergenerational knowledge sharing.

The Indigenous Elders Room:

  • Creates a culturally safe space for ceremony, storytelling, language revitalization, and reflection. 
  • Advances reconciliation through relationship-building, education, and shared understanding. 
  • Preserves and celebrates nuučaanuł (Nuu-chah-nulth) knowledge, traditions, and cultural practices. 
  • Strengthens community wellbeing, belonging, and cultural identity. 
  • Creates opportunities for cultural tourism and economic development.
Spaces Designed for Community

Teaching Kitchen

A flexible learning space supporting food literacy, traditional foods programming, culinary training, food security initiatives, and community gatherings.

The Teaching Kitchen: 

  • Delivers culinary training, food industry certifications, and workforce development. 
  • Supports Indigenous food sovereignty, cultural food practices, and traditional knowledge sharing. 
  • Creates pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and local food businesses. 
  • Strengthens regional food security through cooking, preservation, and nutrition education. 
  • Hosts visitor experiences, workshops, and community food events year-round. 
  • Supports a resilient and diverse local food economy by connecting producers, chefs, and communities. 
  • Brings people together through shared meals, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. 
Spaces Designed for Community

Education & Workshop Spaces

Flexible classrooms and gathering spaces designed to support workshops, training, meetings, conferences, and community events.

The Education & Workshop Spaces:

  • Provide flexible spaces for workshops, training, meetings, and community events. 
  • Support year-round education, research, and knowledge sharing. 
  • Build workforce skills, leadership, and community capacity. 
  • Create opportunities for upskilling, professional development, and lifelong learning. 
  • Support entrepreneurs, innovators, and community-led initiatives. 
  • Provide shared space for non-profits, educators, and regional partners to collaborate. 
  • Strengthen the visitor economy through year-round programming and educational experiences.
Spaces Designed for Community

Shared Collaboration Spaces

Shared offices and collaboration areas that bring together organizations, researchers, educators, and community partners to work collectively on regional priorities. 

Shared Collaboration Spaces Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

The Shared Collaboration Spaces:

  • Provide shared workspace for community organizations and regional partners.  
  • Encourage collaboration across sectors and communities.  
  • Build organizational capacity through shared resources and expertise.  
  • Create space for dialogue, innovation, and collective action.
Spaces Designed for Community

Workforce Housing Units

Two integrated housing units that will support educators, researchers, practitioners, and knowledge holders. 

The Integrated Workforce Housing Units:

  • Provide integrated housing for educators, researchers, and practitioners.  
  • Support workforce development and regional collaboration.  
  • Help attract and retain talent that benefits local communities.  
  • Create opportunities for longer-term partnerships and knowledge sharing.
Spaces Designed for Community

Research Library & Archives

A dedicated space to safeguard, share, and celebrate the region's knowledge, research, history, and cultural archives.

The Research Library & Archives:

  • Provides access to research, knowledge, and learning about the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region.  
  • Preserves and protects the region's cultural, ecological, and historical archives.  
  • Supports research, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.  
  • Connects researchers, knowledge holders, students, and the community. 
Spaces Designed for Community

Outdoor Learning Spaces

Outdoor gathering and learning areas that strengthen connections between people, place, and the natural environment.

The Outdoor Learning Spaces: 

  • Expands opportunities for outdoor and place-based learning.  
  • Supports year-round education, workshops, and community gatherings.  
  • Showcases Indigenous plants, edible gardens, and native landscapes.  
  • Includes a ceremonial fire pit for cultural learning and connection.