The Mizhakiiwetung Memorial School in White Dog, Northern Ontario, provides children with a safe, culturally enriching environment. Designed to represent the three Ojibwe communities in the region—White Dog, One Man Lake, and Swan Lake—the building embodies the sacred eagle, a symbol in Ojibwe culture that carries prayers to the Creator.
The project incorporated sustainable and durable roofing solutions to ensure long-term performance while reflecting the community's cultural heritage.
The Mizhakiiwetung Memorial School’s unique design and harsh environmental conditions posed several challenges:
To address the challenges posed by the unique design and harsh weather conditions, the team selected an adhered UltraPly™ TPO roofing system, known for its durability, energy efficiency, and design flexibility. This system met the school’s needs for cultural alignment, cost savings, and long-term performance.
The UltraPly™ TPO membrane was chosen for its exceptional ability to withstand extreme cold and heavy snow common in Northern Ontario. Its high-albedo white surface not only enhances cooling efficiency during summer but also works seamlessly with the building’s clerestory window design to capture and maximize natural sunlight. The material’s flexibility allowed the roof slope to be reduced to 2½:12, significantly decreasing the amount of heated and cooled space and reducing energy costs for the school.
Additionally, the UltraPly™ TPO system offered a solution that honored the building’s symbolic eagle design, preserving its cultural integrity while meeting practical performance demands. This combination of resilience and cultural alignment ensured the project’s success.
The installation also included two layers of ISOGARD GL Insulation, delivering excellent thermal performance and ensuring superior energy efficiency in the region's cold climate. Complementing this, a DensDeck® Prime cover board was added to enhance the durability and structural support of the roofing system. Together, these choices provided the school with a reliable, efficient, and culturally significant roofing solution, backed by a 15-year warranty to ensure peace of mind for the community.
Substrate Assembly
• Underlayment: Clad Gard SA
• Insulation: Two Layers of ISOGARD GL Insulation
• Fasteners: HD Fasteners and plates
• Cover Board: DensDeck® Prime Cover Board
Membrane and Attachment Membrane
• Membrane: UltraPly™ TPO
• Membrane Specs: 60 Mil, White, Adhered
• Warranty: 15 year
The Mizhakiiwetung Memorial School project is a testament to the power of collaboration and cultural sensitivity. The roof’s design, symbolizing an eagle sacred in Ojibwe culture, serves as a unifying element for the three local communities—White Dog, One Man Lake, and Swan Lake. This project successfully balanced modern roofing solutions with the preservation of cultural identity, fostering immense pride in the community.
The partnership between Elevate, Brock White, and Bur-Met Contracting Ltd. delivered not only a functional and durable roofing system but also a structure that embodies the values and traditions of the Ojibwe people. The school now stands as a beacon of sustainability, cultural respect, and architectural excellence, ensuring a safe and inspiring space for future generations.
“Bur-Met provided a very experienced crew with excellent workmanship who gave us peace of mind once the application and construction began.”
— Victor Kolynchuk, Architecture 49
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