Our design team provided architectural and engineering services for the construction of the Pokagon Center of History and Culture. Phase I of a multi-phase building approach consisted of a 5,000-square-foot administration building with a classroom for language and cultural teaching and administrative offices for cultural staff and native language speakers.
This phase also included a 2,400-square-foot multipurpose building consisting of flex space for gatherings and cultural teaching such as basket making, and to be used as a tribal historic preservation space. This space included archival facilities and mechanical equipment.
The building entrance and main hall are designed to evoke a remembrance of a traditional long house, and are made of indigenous wood. This, combined with the natural finishes being used throughout the building, adds a sense of nature into the building. The design also uses materials such as stone that are native to the specific project site, and includes plants that are not only region, but specific to the site's history. This approach not only ensures survival of the native species, but moves the land closer to its natural state.
The facility also provides a tornado shelter for the building’s occupants made of reinforced concrete. The archival space is built to meet the National Archives and Records Administration (1571) guidelines as well as the FEMA guidelines.
If you are interested in beginning a new project, you are a potential teaming partner, or you just want to chat about great architecture and engineering, please drop us a note.
Bodwé Professional Services
415 E. Prairie Ronde St.
Dowagiac, Michigan 49047
269-585-2270
Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering
600 East Michigan Avenue
Suite B
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-927-0144
3463 Magic Drive,
Suite T15
San Antonio, TX 78229
The Steelhead Engineering Company
259 E. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 407
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-585-2255
WBK Engineering
116 W. Main St.
Suite 201
St. Charles, IL 60174
630-443-7755
68 E. Michigan Ave.
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-224-3182
Blue Star Integrative Studio
320 S. Boston Avenue
Ste. 1710
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-359-5640