Anishnawbe Health Centre is the heart of Toronto¡¯s Indigenous Hub
January 30, 2026
Fast Company highlights unique design including stainless-steel chain fringe, traditional dress-inspired fa?ade, and earth-connected healing spaces
The metallic fringe hanging down from the edge of?the?Anishnawbe?Health Centre?near downtown Toronto is the biggest?indication?that something different is happening here.
Created to provide centralized health care and traditional healing to the 90,000-strong Indigenous population of Toronto, the clinic is the centerpiece?of the Indigenous Hub,?a unique city block of development that?consolidates?and improves services to Toronto's Indigenous population. It?includes the?health?clinic, a job training center, two residential towers, and public and private plazas.
The wraparound fringe of more than 12,000 strands of?stainless-steel?chain¡ªthe kind of aesthetic flourish easily targeted for elimination by the value engineers of a typical development¡ªis just one of many elements of the project that put its Indigenous roots on full display on this block.
From services and building forms to the orientation of landscaping, the development embodies Indigenous traditions, practices, and principles in a way?that¡¯s?wholly uncommon?in most urban environments.
Michael Moxam?shares a look at this iconic project with?Fast Company.?
