Akwe:kon (Mohawk for "all of us") is located on Cornell's North
Campus, a site which makes a transition from the institutional buildings
of the University to a long-established residential neighborhood. Akwe:kon
functions as a residential college for the American Indian Program, housing
40 persons with living, academic, advising, and recreation space. The design
challenge of this project was to design a building in the tradition of an
Ivy League College, while successfully integrating Iroquois culture. The
result instills pride in Native American students and provides a strong identity
for the program. The building and landscape design incorporate Native American
symbolism and express relationships to man, nature, and the supernatural.
The project was the recipient of the President's Award from the American
Institute of Architects Buffalo Western New York Chapter.
Client: Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY
Completion Date: 1991
