Located on the Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation, the Nignen Women’s Shelter Project is the first-of-its-kind live-in facility in New Brunswick. The shelter provides 12 living units and support spaces for Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik communities, as well as other First Nations in the Atlantic region.
The project was designed to create an accessible and environmentally sensitive Indigenous-led safe haven for women, children and 2SLGBTQ people fleeing domestic violence.
The facility is a single-story building that provides a combination of single suites surrounded by communal amenities and two-bedroom apartments designed for transitional living. A range of administrative spaces, meeting rooms for medical and counseling services and cultural gathering spaces are located throughout.
The critical infrastructure of the shelter, which includes mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and materials was designed to complement Indigenous traditions, including smudging ceremonies. The comprehensive approach to the shelter’s design and environmental and social impact allows for the shelter to serve as a beacon of hope in addressing the challenges associated with family violence in Indigenous communities.
EXP provided multidisciplinary design services from planning through construction. More than 50% of EXP’s design effort was undertaken by women or visible minorities.