Arctic College, Nunatta Campus

Navigating Cultural Nuances Through Thoughtful Design

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Arctic College, Nunatta Campus

Supporting Regional Communities with Cultural Sensitivity

Arctic College’s new Nunatta Campus in Iqaluit serves as a vital educational and cultural hub for over a dozen regional communities in Nunavut. This unique facility provides educational opportunities while functioning as a community space and global research centre. Understanding the diverse needs of the Northern Indigenous population and international visitors, Arctic College partnered with Entro to create a wayfinding system that is as inclusive as it is functional.
  • Client

    Arctic College

  • Location

    Iqaluit, Nunavut

  • Sector

    Educational

  • Discipline

    Wayfinding

  • Architect

    Teeple Architects

  • Photography

    Julie Jira and Entro

Integration of Tradition and Modernity

Our approach began with extensive consultations with Arctic College and various community groups to understand the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. The result is a signage and wayfinding program that balances traditional Indigenous practices with modern design principles. This program relies heavily on pictograms and numbers, intentionally minimizing text to respect the cultural context and enhance accessibility.

A Unique Approach to Gender Representation

One of the most innovative aspects of this project was the reimagining of standard washroom icons. Traditional “universal” symbols, such as a male figure in trousers and a female figure in a skirt, were deemed culturally inappropriate for Northern Indigenous communities, where such clothing does not represent traditional gendered attire. Instead, the design team, guided by Arctic College, created new pictograms based on the amauti, a type of parka traditionally worn by Inuit women, and its male counterpart.

The wayfinding system at Arctic College’s Nunatta Campus shows the power of design to respect and integrate cultural traditions.

Overcoming Language Barriers

The language diversity in Nunavut posed a significant design challenge. The signage needed to accommodate four languages – English, Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, and French – each with its own set of linguistic complexities. Additionally, the translation of signage from English into  local languages was not straightforward, as some English terms lacked direct equivalents. Arctic College worked closely with local translators, and through a series of iterations, the team arrived at nuanced translations that would be understood by the majority.

Creating Visual Harmony

Designing signage that is visually balanced and easy to read across four languages and two alphabets required meticulous attention to detail. The design team tested various fonts, weights, and styles to achieve a clean, balanced appearance. The resulting signage is simple yet elegant, aiding navigation and reinforcing a sense of harmony within the multicultural community that the College serves.

Through thoughtful adaptation and innovative design solutions, we helped create a space that is not only functional but also deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Northern Indigenous peoples.

Find out about Nunavut Arctic College.

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