Nestled in the heart of Seward, the Chugachmiut Regional Health Center blends native legacy and contemporary design. Opening in January 2025, the facility will serve as a hub for seven communities around Resurrection Bay and the Chugach region. This single-story health center, a partnership between Chugachmiut (a native health and social services organization) and the Indian Health Service, is designed to meet LEED Silver certification. It prioritizes using environmentally friendly low-VOC materials, boasts a highly energy-efficient building envelope and impact wood-frame construction, and carefully considers the facility’s siting, layout, and landscape. The exterior, with metal shingles reminiscent of fish scales and wood framing featuring ‘hunter hat’ wave patterns, honors Chugach’s maritime heritage central to Chugach sustenance. Inside, the double-height waiting area features high windows which bathe it in natural daylight. Visitors can access a primary care clinic, dental services, and behavioral health counseling. The walls come alive with molded resin panels, undulating in wave patterns, evoking ocean images. Wall coverings featuring traditional medicinal plant graphic illustrations adorn the exam rooms, silently educating visitors about the time-honored healing practices of their ancestors—the chosen color palette channels healing hues, creating a therapeutic ambiance. As visitors venture further, they discover a blend of modernity and tradition. Exposed glulam beams and wood decking mirror the communal dwellings of the local Qutekcak tribe. At the same time, tile artwork of a native mask peers over a welcoming fireplace, acting as a guardian of health and warmth. The Chugachmiut Regional Health Center is more than just a place for medical care. It’s a space where the heart meets history, nature, and art, ensuring that those who walk through its doors heal physically and reconnect with their roots and the essence of the land.