The Oceanfront Squamish Presentation Centre & Public House (PCPH) serves as a public gateway to the waterfront, directly engaging the surrounding park and Howe Sound. Expansive glazing creates a strong connection between interior and exterior, fostering openness throughout the building. It stands as a year-round gathering place celebrating local culture, the Squamish community, and craftmanship. PCPH’s central House Post, commissioned by the client and carved by Squamish Nation master carver Xwalacktun, honours the building’s ties to the land and heritage.

The Presentation Centre features an open concept layout with versatile space use, such as an entertaining area, various workspaces and a balcony that opens toward the main presentation area and large windows. The Public House, which includes a brewery and restaurant, is designed to offer an inviting and enjoyable dining experience, with direct views of the Oceanfront Park and Howe Sound. The restaurant opens onto two separate patios while providing ample indoor seating to remain viable during inclement weather. Glass railings, landscaping and retractable enclosures are used to create calm, wind-protected outdoor environments.

From the early stages, the project benefited from an integrated, collaborative approach, working closely with Kalesnikoff Mass Timber and Naikoon Contracting Ltd., our team engaged in an iterative design and pre-construction process supported by digital coordination and ongoing feedback. Naikoon’s on-site prefabrication strategy ensured exposed mass timber elements were safeguarded, allowing the superstructure to be completed in just 6 weeks.

PCPH advances mass timber as both a structural and expressive element. With 85m3 of Douglas Fir glulam and 501m3 of spruce-fir-pine (SPF) CLT harvested within 100 miles of Kalesnikoff’s factory in the Kootenays, the structure sequesters approximately 602 metric tonnes of carbon. Designed to meet BC Step Code 3, the building integrates solar panels, extensive insulation, and high-performance fenestration. This low-carbon, prefabricated approach pushes the boundaries of conventional architectural practice.

Showcasing BC wood was a central guiding principle, celebrated both inside and outside the building, left fully exposed wherever possible. This guiding concept, established early on and carried through to the project’s completion, underscored the value of the close collaboration with Kalesnikoff on PCPH. PCPH highlights BC’s leadership in mass timber construction, contribution to the growing narrative of sustainable, place-rooted architecture. The use of natural, locally sourced materials was integral to the creation of a biophilic, breathable space that can be enjoyed beyond the lifetime of the presentation centre. In the future, the building will be returned to the Squamish community to support future gatherings and community activities in the space.