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Nk’Mip Desert and Heritage Centre

Nk’Mip Desert and Heritage Centre located near Osoyoos BC is extremely responsive to the hot, dry climate of the BC interior. Designed by Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architects and Cobalt Engineering, the Centre boasts the largest rammed earth wall in Canada. Rammed earth wall consists of a mixture of local earth and concrete in a “sedimentary” layered structure, tempering the indoor environment while reflecting traditional vernacular.

NkMip

Some of the many features include:

  • Landscaped roof
  • Water efficient fixtures such as waterless urinals, dual flush toilets and aerated faucets
  • Radiant heating and cooling (in ceiling & floor slabs)
  • 100% outdoor air displacement ventilation
What makes this iconic building so unique, is mainly the beautiful rammed earth wall – the longest of its kind ever built in the world.  SIREWALL and Salt Spring Island’s Terra Firma Builders collaborated with Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden to conceptualize a 5.5 metre high, 80 metre long rammed earth wall that combines local soils to blend in with the colourful hues in the Osoyoos desert.
additional features of Nk'Mip:
  • Thermal resistance of the wall is approximately R33.
  • Use of local soils supports sustainability practices.
  • Heavy insulation value provided by the wall promotes thermal cycling.
  • When used in combination, the concrete structure and rammed-earth wall offers resistance to fire.
  • The wall is left natural. The outer crust forms as the wall cures. Once removed from the formwork, the "as cast" finish becomes the finished wall appearance.
  • The wall is not sealed.
  • Total wall dimensions are approximately 80 metres long and 5.5 metres high
  • HBBH was presented the Governor General's Medal in Architecture for this project in 2008.
  • 2008 World Architecture Festival Holiday Category Winner

Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden and Cobalt Engineering
Christy Love e: clove@cobaltengineering.com
www.cobaltengineering.com

Rammed Earth Wall by Terra Firma Builders
Meror Krayenhoff e: office@sirewall.com
www.sirewall.com

 

     

   

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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