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Kuujjuaq Air Terminal - the Blue Qajaq
Kuujjuaq Air Terminal - the Blue Qajaq
Québec, Canada
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Kuujjuaq Air Terminal - the Blue Qajaq
Québec, Canada
YEAR
2010
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
BUDGET
$5M - 10M
Located north of the 55th parallel, Kuujjuaq is an important gateway to Nunavik (Northern Quebec), land of the Nunavimmiut Inuit. Rarely has a significant landmark building been so in sync with the political aspirations of a people. The many design objectives formulated by Transport Canada acknowledged this.
Air travel holds a special place and meaning in modern Inuit culture. It is the only year round life line to Southern communities. A northern air terminal therefore functions as an important community gathering place and often as a ceremonial one.
In designing a modern building that would make a meaningful contribution to Inuit culture, the challenge was to find an image that would resonate with the Nunavimmiut. The new Air Terminal was developed as a long, low, and aerodynamic form evoking the traditional qajaq, a strong Inuit empowerment icon. The qajaq is a great source of personal and community pride, admired the world over. The Terminal is laid out around a central hall, roofed over with a generous expanse of south facing clerestory windows. This large roof outcrop, shaped like a qajaq’s cockpit, is angled for protection against prevailing winds and to capture the low winter sun.
The Terminal is designed according to the highest standards of Northern Building Practice. Its basic features are: a high performance envelope (thermal resistance, air-tightness), a compact, aerodynamic building volume (minimum wind resistance), airlocks at all entrances; snow accumulation control and careful orientation of building openings with respect to prevailing winds.
Standard thermosyphons are used in an innovative way. Their primary function is as a passive, permafrost cooling system. The secondary function is as part of the entrance canopy structure, ascribing it a unique architectural role.
The Terminal achieved LEED Silver Certification. The LEED system was adapted to the realities of the Canadian Arctic.
Air travel holds a special place and meaning in modern Inuit culture. It is the only year round life line to Southern communities. A northern air terminal therefore functions as an important community gathering place and often as a ceremonial one.
In designing a modern building that would make a meaningful contribution to Inuit culture, the challenge was to find an image that would resonate with the Nunavimmiut. The new Air Terminal was developed as a long, low, and aerodynamic form evoking the traditional qajaq, a strong Inuit empowerment icon. The qajaq is a great source of personal and community pride, admired the world over. The Terminal is laid out around a central hall, roofed over with a generous expanse of south facing clerestory windows. This large roof outcrop, shaped like a qajaq’s cockpit, is angled for protection against prevailing winds and to capture the low winter sun.
The Terminal is designed according to the highest standards of Northern Building Practice. Its basic features are: a high performance envelope (thermal resistance, air-tightness), a compact, aerodynamic building volume (minimum wind resistance), airlocks at all entrances; snow accumulation control and careful orientation of building openings with respect to prevailing winds.
Standard thermosyphons are used in an innovative way. Their primary function is as a passive, permafrost cooling system. The secondary function is as part of the entrance canopy structure, ascribing it a unique architectural role.
The Terminal achieved LEED Silver Certification. The LEED system was adapted to the realities of the Canadian Arctic.
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