WALLOWA LONGHOUSE

Wallowa, Oregon, USA

As part of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce homeland project, the longhouse provides ceremonial space for traditional Nez Perce services. Tradition places the entrance from the east. A dirt dance floor connects the longhouse to the earth. Daylight streams down from a ridge of skylights above. A separate cook house contains a full commercial kitchen. The buildings sit gently upon the land. Panels of clear lexan reveal the simple pole structure, while a berm of red basalt rocks wraps the building with the sheltering earth.