Project Profile: Kipohtakaw Education Centre

Kipohtakaw Education Centre: Designing with Intention

Architect: Claudia Yehia Alaeddin Reimagine Architects
Written by Insiya Rasiwala-Finn | Photography by Julian Parkinson

At Natural Pod, we believe in the transformative power of thoughtfully designed learning environments and how they impact learners’ focus, mental health, and well-being. That’s why we’re so inspired by architects and designers who share our commitment to sustainability, community, and creating spaces that nurture growth.

Today, we’re thrilled to share a profile of visionary principal architect Claudia Yehia Alaeddin from Reimagine Architects in Edmonton, Alberta, who has been designing schools over her 19 year career. Her work on the existing Kipohtakaw K-12 Education Centre, as well as an addition to the building located on the Alexander First Nation Reserve, exemplifies these values.

Claudia’s collaborative design process is marked by deep engagement with the surrounding community, respect and sensitivity to the Nation’s culture, a desire to embrace inclusive trauma-informed design, and a genuine passion for education. This project is a reflection from what she learned about the needs and spirit of this modern and growing community.

A journey of collaboration and vision

Claudia’s approach to the Kipohtakaw Education Centre project was anything but ordinary. Recognizing that the school was an existing building from the 1990s with a rich cultural history, she emphasized the importance of respecting the past while creating a space that could flourish in the present.

That respect was woven into Claudia’s commitment to community conversations. To understand what they wanted, she invited them to be part of the design process.

“We included everyone in this journey—teachers, students, and most importantly, our Elders,” she says. “25 Elders came forward to share their wisdom and dreams for this school.” —Claudia Yehia Alaeddin, Reimagine Architects

That kind of deep, heartfelt engagement? That’s what shaped a space rooted in purpose—one that truly reflects the hopes of the people it was built for.

The journey, of course, wasn’t without its trials. Renovating an old building? Oh, it came with surprises; what Claudia affectionately calls “treasures.” “Every time we opened a wall, it was like discovering something new, something we hadn’t planned for, because the initial drawings were never updated,” she recalls with a smile.

But here’s where it gets powerful: even in the face of mold—yes, mold! When panic and uncertainty started to spread, Claudia stayed grounded. “Everyone’s emotions were running high,” she says. “But I told our team, ‘This is the best timing. I’m so grateful we found it now, because imagine if we hadn’t. Imagine if no one was here to make it right.’”

Highs and lows of the process

Claudia’s passion for her work is undeniable, you can feel it in every word. She speaks candidly about the emotional ups and downs that come with designing for something as meaningful as educational spaces. “Sometimes the system makes you hate what you do,” she confesses, her voice tinged with the weight of political and logistical hurdles. This project? It took nearly eight years—eight years of perseverance, vision, and heart.

But in the end? It was worth every second.

“Every time I go back and visit, and a student runs up to me and says, ‘Oh my god, I love this!’—when I see that joy, that sense of belonging, when they truly see themselves in the space—that’s when I know. That’s why I do what I do.” —Claudia

At the Kipohtakaw Education Centre, a particularly moving example of integrative, culturally sensitive design is the creation of a suspended art piece in the elementary school. Claudia and her team had been hoping to commission a First Nations artist to create artwork that would be a focal point for the school. But they had not found anyone. Then, she remembered a story that the previous principal of the school had shared about how the original building was designed to symbolize an eagle taking flight. Given the power of the eagle in First Nations mythology, it all started with a simple, powerful question from Claudia: “What if the students created the art?”

And from that spark, something extraordinary was born. Every child in the school painted their own 3D-printed eagle feather. A symbol of strength, of spirit, of connection. One by one, the feathers were brought together, forming a breathtaking installation that radiated collective beauty, identity, and pride.

Not everyone saw the vision at first. Even the school principal had her doubts.

But at the grand opening, with everything complete and the feathers gleaming in place, she came up to Claudia and said, “Remember when I told you I understood what this big piece could be and look like?” She paused. “Well… I had no idea if this was going to be a great piece. I didn’t think it would work.”

But here’s the thing: she trusted the process. “She trusted our team,” smiles Claudia. And that trust? That’s what allowed the magic to unfold.

Bringing Natural Pod into the fold

When it came to furnishing the Kipohtakaw Education Centre, Claudia sought solutions that aligned with her values of sustainability and authentic learning. She also recognized that the furniture needed to support the school’s educational philosophy.

“The teachers guiding students in these spaces truly understood the power of creating a calm, neutral environment. They recognized that every detail—especially the furniture—should be purposeful and adaptable, supporting authentic, meaningful learning experiences.” —Claudia

This shared vision of authentic learning made the partnership between Reimagine and Natural Pod a natural one.

“One of the things that I love about Natural Pod, is that they’re more sustainable,” she shared. Claudia also appreciated that Natural Pod’s products are made in Canada, supporting the local economy. “I also love that there’s no toxicity in any of the materials,” she stated “We’re very picky about materials.”

The decision to use Natural Pod furniture wasn’t just about aesthetics. The Reimagine team was looking to make a conscious choice for the health and well-being of the students and the planet. They presented the benefits of sustainable furniture, including its impact on carbon emissions, to the students. “We talked about carbon and what it’s doing,” she recalls. “It wasn’t like hey we love this furniture. No, it was more like strategic persuasion.”

Natural Pod furniture elevated the decisions the school was making. It brought harmony, warmth, and a sense of grounding. During the renovation, the team uncovered hidden wooden beams and posts. Gifts from the past just waiting to be rediscovered.

The transformative power of nature

Claudia reflects on the power of these natural elements with a quiet reverence:

“Having wood in a space can really calm your senses. It’s the closest connection to your heartbeat,” she says. “Even when the kids just sit and stare at a piece of wood—tracing the grain with their eyes—it soothes them. It activates your brain and your sensory processing, just like magic.”

It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t always something we add, it’s something we uncover, something we feel.

This connection to nature is even more important in an environment where it’s often too cold in the winter and the children cannot go outside. This meant creating spaces that allow for movement and bringing natural elements from the outdoors inside was key to the design of the school.

Reimagine included wide, light-flooded walkways for learners to move freely within, and classrooms that require children to walk from one area of the school to another to encourage more activity, because as Claudia reminds us, “activity makes the mind sharper.” When students are given the opportunity to move, to build, to create, something remarkable happens. Their thinking becomes clearer. Their energy becomes focused. Their curiosity wakes up.

Claudia’s work on the Kipohtakaw Education Centre is a testament to the power of collaborative, nature inspired design. By prioritizing community engagement, respecting culture and history, and embracing sustainable solutions, she and her team have created a space that has become an expansive heart for its community.

At Natural Pod, we’re honored to have played a part in this inspiring project and look forward to continuing to support work with creatives who are dedicated to creating exceptional learning environments for communities today and into the future.

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