Skwachays Lodge

Skwachays Lodge is a boutique hotel in Vancouver, Canada, that both celebrates Aboriginal arts and culture and acts as a social enterprise to support the Vancouver Native Housing Society. One hundred percent of the profits from the hotel flow directly to support this non-profit that provides safe, secure and affordable housing to Vancouver’s urban Aboriginal population. 

Multiple designers and industry members donated time and materials to this initiative, creating 18 unique suites within the hotel. One such design team was Inside Design Studio who designed the beautiful Longhouse Suite in collaboration with Aboriginal artist Sabina Hill.

In Aboriginal culture, the Longhouse is a gathering place where families, neighbors, and nations share in their cultural traditions. Upon entering this ‘Longhouse’ a striking feature wall representing a ‘house-front’ which signifies the guests’ arrival to their temporary home and imparts a sense of comfort for weary travellers. Inside Design used a modern aesthetic to match that of Sabina Hill’s contemporary take on classic Aboriginal motifs. This modern style embraces the evolution of Aboriginal artistry. 

The illuminated bear totem greets visitors at the entrance of their new ‘home’ and identifies them as honored guests during their stay at Skwachays Lodge. The headboard pays tribute to the frog, considered a spiritual helper who traverses the natural and supernatural worlds. Here the frog aids the guests from waking to dreaming. A contemporary palette of red white and grey is used throughout to complement the artwork while wood elements bring in a natural West Coast vibe. Evoke’s ‘Chloe’ brings the look of natural wood to the space with the durability of luxury vinyl. Overall the fresh minimalist approach celebrates the artwork and in turn the history of the Aboriginal people from the region.