A terrazzo medallion, called the Circle of Indigenous Knowledge, inset in Seneca’s Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) floor, has been named Project of the Year by Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada.
“It’s a beautiful piece of artwork by a talented Indigenous artist that’s been installed with a great deal of precision and care. We are proud to have it as the welcome point into the CITE building and thrilled that it’s been recognized by the industry,” said Angelo Miranda, Director of Major Capital Projects at Seneca.
Designed by Indigenous artist Joseph Sagaj, the medallion features a turtle in the centre enclosed by elements of the First Nations people of the Great Lakes region, the Métis and the Inuit of the Arctic.
The Circle of Indigenous Knowledge measures 10 metres in diameter and references Turtle Island, which represents the continent of North America in Indigenous culture.
“This design represents a glimpse of their culture, spirituality, ceremonies, origins, teachings, history, symbols, stories, art, clans, system of governance, the sky world and world view,” said Sagaj. “These stories and teachings were shared through protocol, with elders and the people from these communities presented here. All these symbols and ways continue to reflect and thrive in the people and in the land today.”
To translate Sagaj’s vision onto the floor, Seneca states that terrazzo was identified as the best flooring product to get the colour rendition and desired durability, while Franklin Terrazzo was chosen to carry out the highly detailed project.
According to Seneca, the medallion is among several design elements that pay tribute to Canada’s Indigenous communities throughout CITE, a project designed and built by Perkins and Will.
Seneca will celebrate the building’s official grand opening this fall.