Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre

Summary

The Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre was developed in collaboration with Island Health and Quw’utsun (Cowichan Tribes) as a consolidated healthcare facility serving the Duncan community. The 1,045 m² two-storey wood-frame building includes exam rooms, imaging (x-ray), mental health counselling spaces, administrative offices, and a dedicated cultural gathering space integrated within the clinical environment.

The project required consolidation of three properties and close coordination with municipal planning objectives. Landscape design preserved a significant tree on the site and introduced rain gardens and pedestrian-oriented public spaces to strengthen the civic interface. Architecturally, the building establishes a strong community presence while incorporating a culturally expressive gathering space that activates the street frontage. Sustainable strategies include EV infrastructure, underground stormwater detention and infiltration swales, and a high-performance VRF heating and cooling system that helped the building achieve a 37% improvement over the NECB target.