Beginning in June 2025, Black & McDonald partnered on a meaningful retrofit at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, transforming a standard room into an Indigenous Health Room designed to accommodate smudging ceremonies and other cultural practices. Unlike a typical renovation, the project required careful coordination of mechanical and life-safety systems to ensure the ceremonies could be conducted safely and respectfully. Key upgrades included a dedicated exhaust system and a fire alarm override, creating a suitable environment for smudging while maintaining the hospital’s stringent safety requirements.
Since 2017, Black & McDonald has delivered comprehensive facilities management services at the hospital, one of British Columbia’s most critical healthcare facilities. The company’s scope of work spans plant operations, preventative maintenance, life-cycle planning, and project delivery—all of which contribute to creating and maintaining environments that support exceptional patient care.
“Essentially, our teams support consistent performance across every area of the hospital,” said Brad Bell, Facility Manager. “Everything we do, every adjustment we make, is intended to assist the clinical teams who rely on consistent conditions.”
The Indigenous Health Room project reflects that commitment while also supporting the hospital’s goal of providing culturally appropriate care for patients and families. Smudging—an important Indigenous practice involving the burning of sacred medicines to cleanse and purify a space—holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many First Nations and Indigenous Peoples. Recognizing the importance of these ceremonies as part of the healing journey, the project team focused on creating a space that would be safe, welcoming, and fully functional for its intended purpose.
The retrofit included several specialized upgrades. A new furring wall was installed, and existing glazing was replaced with STC 45-rated glass to improve privacy and sound attenuation. The team also added new ductwork connected to a dedicated exhaust system, installed a heat detector and plumbing upgrades, and incorporated a workstation to support the room’s daily use. Every element was carefully designed to balance technical performance, safety requirements, and user experience.
“It’s a blend of technical performance and cultural intention,” said David Frost, Division Manager. “We provide the systems and infrastructure behind the scenes so the hospital can focus entirely on delivering care—that’s the whole point of what we do.”
Thoughtful Design
While the infrastructure upgrades were critical to the project’s success, some of the room’s most meaningful features are found in its design.
Indigenous-inspired wall murals and custom flooring artwork help create a space that is both welcoming and culturally significant. The flooring design is oriented toward true north, adding another thoughtful layer to the room while reinforcing its connection to Indigenous traditions and perspectives.
The result is a warm, safe, and inclusive environment where patients, families, and visitors can gather for ceremony, reflection, and healing. It provides comfort during what can often be stressful and emotional moments, ensuring that cultural and spiritual practices can take place within the hospital setting with dignity and respect.
“The Indigenous Health Room stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful design, technical expertise, and collaboration can come together to support holistic healing,” Frost concluded. “By integrating specialized building systems with cultural awareness, Black & McDonald helped create a space where physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural well-being can all be part of the care experience.”
Why It Matters:
Smudging is a sacred Indigenous practice with deep cultural and spiritual significance. By creating a dedicated space designed to safely accommodate these ceremonies, BC Children’s Hospital is supporting culturally appropriate care and ensuring patients, families, and visitors have access to meaningful healing traditions during their healthcare journey.
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