AIA NWW: Discover the Art, Identity, and Purpose of the House of Healing | 1.5 LU/HSW pending approval
Join AIA Northwest Washington for a tour of Western Washington University’s recently completed House of Healing!
This tour invites you to experience a space intentionally created to honor, support, and celebrate Indigenous students and communities. Located at the south end of the Sehome Hill Arboretum, the longhouse—formally named Lhaq ’temish-ew’xw e tse XwLemi’ by the Lummi Indian Business Council—draws its identity from the original peoples of the region. The building serves as a cultural home and gathering place, featuring a welcoming hall, teaching kitchen, study lounges, and an outdoor garden filled with culturally significant Indigenous plants. It also houses the tribal liaison’s office and dedicated space for the Native American Student Union, reinforcing its role as a living center for learning, connection, and cultural continuity.
Inside, the House of Healing showcases powerful expressions of Coast Salish artistry. Swinomish artist Kevin Paul created two paddle installations—one honoring each of Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes, and another acknowledging the donors who helped bring the longhouse to life. Visitors will also encounter “Sundog,” the massive carved-cedar double doors crafted by Lummi Nation artist Felix Solomon and Haida master woodcarver Ralph Bennett, symbolizing the Lummi people’s deep knowledge of their way of life. Designed by Rolluda Architects and inspired by traditional cedar-plank structures, the building reflects both ancestral architectural forms and the guidance of two advisory groups of Indigenous students, community members, and tribal elders. This tour offers a meaningful opportunity to step into a space built with intention, history, and community at its heart.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please note on your registration form if you have access needs for this program, or reach out to aianww@aiaseattle.org.
