Located on the site of the former headwaters of Glenbrook Ravine, lost to development decades ago, the project takes a strong stance on reinstating this landscape. Prioritizing an east-west orientation over the colonial grid, the building follows the natural topographic line of the ravine. The headwaters have been reconnected with the remaining branch to the south, establishing a major public green space and rain garden adjacent to the facility’s south plaza. The stepped elevation achieves a human scale where the building meets the ground, while the strong black roof unifies the diverse program elements. təməsew̓txʷ is Canada’s first completed all-electric facility to achieve the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building - Design Standard, a significant transition for a building typology traditionally among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Over two years, more than 3,000 people, including urban Indigenous, Host Nations, multicultural groups, and an accessibility committee, participated in public and stakeholder engagement. The facility’s inclusive design features generous circulation, high-contrast braille signage, universal washrooms, ramps, zero-entry pools, a transfer ledge in the adult hot pool, and a moveable floor in the 50m pool. The name təməsew̓txʷ means “Sea Otter House” in hənqəminəm, and was gifted by a panel of urban Indigenous people and local First Nations.