Welcome to the Construction Story behind the Anduhyaun Shelter...
In Toronto’s west end, on a narrow city lot nestled between residential streets, stands a building unlike any other. It’s wrapped in soft waves of sage green and cedar, its curves and colours evoking movement, water, and life. But the beauty of the new Anduhyaun Women’s Shelter lies deeper in its purpose, its cultural symbolism, and the care taken within every square foot.
This is the story of how Renokrew built it. 👇
Anduhyaun Shelter is Toronto’s only Indigenous Violence Against Women shelter, providing 24/7 support for 18 beds—including four barrier-free accessible units. Founded in 1973, Anduhyaun Inc. has been a home to thousands of women recovering from trauma related to violence and houselessness.
In 2009, plans began for a new shelter centred around the unique needs of its clients. This one-of-a-kind building opened in 2024, designed and constructed with thoughtful intention to honour Indigenous ways, traditional medicines, the four directions, and the Sacred Circle.
Project Snapshot
- Completion: February 2024
- Size: 3-storey, new-build wood-frame structure
- Contract Delivery: Design-Bid-Build
- Project Delivery Team: Ali Hajiagha, Taranjeet Singh, Sasan Amini Afshar.
- Partners: LGA Architectural Partners, Blackwell Engineering, Quasar, Fabian Papa, RDH, GSP Group, NSP Consulting.
Building a Shelter Inspired by Culture and Nature
Phase 1: Foundations and Framing
The building itself is designed to feel alive, reflecting water’s healing and transformative qualities. Winter mobilization began with the excavation and installation of helical piles. Site services, infrastructure, and superstructure followed.
Situated on a narrow urban lot, the site required careful staging to respect the surrounding residences and city infrastructure.
Phase 2: Envelope and Airtightness
Its curved exterior fins, inspired by waves and sage leaves, provide privacy while allowing light to shift with the day. The blue canopy at the entrance carries the water theme inside, reflected in the tiled walls that line the corridors.
The exterior assembly, from wall systems to window flashing, required near-airtight coordination. We achieved 0.6 ACH, the Passive House benchmark, thanks to meticulous envelope detailing and rigorous testing.
Phase 3: Interior Fit-Outs and Finishes
Inside, the blue-tiled hallway was installed carefully to create the illusion of a flowing stream. The Nookomis Room, a cedar-clad, circular ceremonial space that is partly indoors and partly outdoors, was mock-built, reviewed, and built with precision to allow for privacy, light, and safe ventilation during smudging ceremonies. Natural materials, soft curves, and warm colours create a calming atmosphere throughout.
Behind the Scenes: Building the Nookomis Room
At the building’s core is the Nookomis Room – named for “Grandmother” in Ojibwe. This cedar-lined, circular space sits partially indoors and partially outside. It offers a quiet place for ceremony, smudging, and restoration.
A skylight above the room allows natural light to enter at a specific time each day and supports safe ventilation for smoke from smudging ceremonies.
Renokrew precisely framed the curved cedar walls, cut to fit the flowing shape. The operable curved walls were installed with custom hardware to open and close quietly and smoothly, striking a balance between function and cultural respect.
Behind the Scenes: Building the Nookomis Room
The outdoor garden offers a safe and private green space, shielded by a privacy fence. The Sacred Fire area is a place of healing and ceremony, carefully landscaped with pathways and plantings that respect Indigenous traditions. Renokrew installed site services and landscaping to ensure accessibility, safety, and durability.
Recognized for Excellence and Social Impact
The Anduhyaun Women’s Shelter has earned multiple awards celebrating its outstanding design and meaningful contribution to the community:
- OGCA Ontario Builder Award 2024, awarded to Renokrew by the Ontario General Contractors Association, recognizing exceptional construction quality and project delivery.
- Best of Canada Award for Institutional Interiors, awarded to LGA Architectural Partners by Canadian Interiors, celebrating architectural and interior design excellence.
- People’s Choice Award for Social Good, awarded to LGA Architectural Partners by Azure Magazine, recognizing the project’s positive social and cultural impact.
These awards reflect the collective effort of the entire project team, architects, client partners, and Renokrew’s skilled construction ‘krew’ to create a shelter that honours Indigenous culture, supports healing, and stands as a lasting community resource.
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Maxine Noel/ Ioyan Mani, all artwork photographed by Bryn Gladding Fine Art & Photograph