Bring Clarity to a Sacred Space: BKL’s Acoustic Journey with the SFU First People’s Gathering House

10 Oct Bring Clarity to a Sacred Space: BKL’s Acoustic Journey with the SFU First People’s Gathering House

Simon Fraser University (SFU) has officially opened the First Peoples’ Gathering House on Burnaby Mountain, a landmark facility that now serves as a vibrant heart for the Indigenous community and a permanent step toward reconciliation. More than a building, it is a living space for ceremony, knowledge sharing, and connection, designed to transform the Indigenous experience at SFU.

Within this sacred space, an invisible yet crucial element was crafted: clarity. Clarity in every word spoken, clarity in every story told, and clarity in silence. The mission to bring this clarity to sound was one our team at BKL was privileged to undertake.

A shared dream, a home for community

The Gathering House is the culmination of decades of advocacy and extensive collaboration with the four Host Nations and SFU’s Indigenous community. The long-held dream for a heart of the community is powerfully illustrated by Ron Johnston, Director of the Office for Aboriginal Peoples at SFU, who reflected that during his time as a student in the mid-90s, there was never truly a space that served as the heart and soul for the Indigenous community at the university.

This decades-long vision, often feeling tantalizingly out of reach, finally became a reality. Eldon Yellowhorn, SFU’s first Indigenous faculty member, captured this sentiment, comparing the realization of the Gathering House to finally attaining a wish that had always felt close, yet just beyond grasp. Now, with the doors open, that long-awaited vision is fulfilled. Chris (Syeta’xtn) Lewis, Indigenous executive lead at SFU, shared the collective sentiment, describing a profound sense of inspiration and empowerment at finally standing in the space they had dreamed of for so many years. He emphasized its role as a home-away-from-home – a safe place where people can rejuvenate their spirit, connect with one another, and freely express their traditions and customs.

Listening to these stories – of a missing heart, a long-awaited wish, and a new home – guided our approach. It reminded us that acoustics in this project were not merely technical, but deeply cultural.

BKL’s lesson in listening

As the acoustic consultant, our mission was shaped by these conversations: how to transform this architectural space into a sonic environment that would fully support its diverse cultural and spiritual activities?

We understood that here, sound was not merely a physical phenomenon but one of deep cultural significance. BKL’s core philosophy – “Bring clarity to acoustics, noise, and vibration” – was placed into a new context: Bringing clarity to voice and culture.

• Clarity in voice and storytelling: In the east-facing Great Hall – the heart of the Gathering House – the task for BKL’s team of acoustic experts was to ensure every speech, every story told, every drumbeat or song would be transmitted with fullness and authenticity, honouring oral storytelling traditions for up to 300 people.
• Clarity through silence: Spaces like the Wellness Room and the Elders’ Room demand absolute tranquility. The BKL team worked to create “oases of calm” through comprehensive sound insulation solutions, where silence itself becomes a medium for healing and reflection.
• Clarity through control of noise: Our team meticulously implemented noise and vibration control for the building’s mechanical systems, ensuring that focus remains on ceremony and community connections, uninterrupted by external noise.

A milestone in the journey of respect

Participating in this project was a profound lesson in listening for the entire BKL team. It reminded us that reconciliation is built through concrete action, and our role was to listen with care and apply our expertise to provide solutions that truly honour those needs. As noted by SFU leadership, the opening of the Gathering House is recognized as an important milestone in the university’s ongoing journey toward upholding Truth and Reconciliation, signifying a step forward while acknowledging the work that remains.

Now open, the Gathering House stands as a place where every sound – and every silence – carries meaning. We are proud to have helped shape a foundation of clarity and respect that will serve generations to come.

About BKL

BKL is a leading consulting firm with the mission to “Bring clarity to acoustics, noise, and vibration”. We are proud to use our expertise to contribute to projects with deep community significance.

Discover how our team supported the vision of the Indigenous community through sound design.
Read the full case study

Want to connect with our team about this project or future collaborations? Contact us.

Tags:

BKL Consultants, Acoustic Consultant, Inspiration, Professional Practice, Cultural Space

Sources:

[1] Simon Fraser University. “SFU opens doors to First Peoples’ Gathering House on Burnaby Mountain.” (Primary source for the project’s completion, quotes from Chris Lewis, and institutional context). SfuSFU opens doors to First Peoples’ Gathering House on Burnaby Mountain

[2] Award Magazine. “First Peoples’ Gathering House – SFU.” (Source for background on the project’s vision and cultural significance).

[3] BC Gov News. “New SFU First Peoples’ Gathering House is reconciliation from the ground up.” (Source for the quote and historical context from Ron Johnston). BcNew SFU First Peoples’ Gathering House is reconciliation from the ground up

[4] Ibid. (Specific source for the quote from Eldon Yellowhorn).