Tofino Fish Pier

The Tofino Fish Pier was constructed in 1962 at the edge of the picturesque harbour in downtown Tofino and originally served as a shrimp and salmon processing facility. In the following years, the facility underwent several expansions, including the construction of a large ice plant that supplied deep-sea fishing vessels along the west coast of Vancouver Island with ice. Today, the pier stands as one of the last remaining purpose-built wooden ice plant structures on the west coast – a relic of British Columbia's once-dominant maritime industrial heritage.

Guided by the Nuu-chah-nulth concept of kwislap, meaning "to do things differently", Wolfgang Rieder, in collaboration with the architecture firm Leckie Studio, initiated the pier’s revitalisation. The goal was to preserve the architectural heritage of the dock, honour the region’s rich history, and simultaneously create a safer and more inclusive space for the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.

At its core, the transformation of the Tofino Fish Pier is about the decolonisation and adaptive reclamation of a historic landmark that originally displaced the traditional ways of life of the Nuu-chah-nulth. The pier now serves as a tool for reconciliation and community empowerment, providing space for underrepresented groups and making Canada’s cultural diversity visible. In 2009, the five Nuu-chah-nulth nations – Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Mowachaht/Muchalaht – received the right to catch and sell all species traditionally found in their territories. The project now serves as a physical hub to fully realise the economic, social and political potential of these rights.

Following a thorough investigation of structural deficiencies, targeted restoration plans were developed using advanced 3D scanning, digital modelling and an integrated design approach. These plans allow extensive repairs that restore the pier’s structural integrity while preserving its historical identity.

The pier’s new use follows a clear cultural and community-oriented concept. The historic ice plant is transformed into a venue for exhibitions and events showcasing First Nations artists, while the former engine room is converted into a studio. The old workers’ residence of the cannery becomes a fisheries office for T’aaq-wiihak organisations. The historic cannery space will provide a versatile community hub for Indigenous marine education programmes, public events on marine stewardship and a seasonal pop-up seaside café. Additionally, a maritime research and education lab will be established, highlighting First Nations knowledge alongside traditional scientific methods. The extensive redesign is complemented by a seasonal First Nations market. An expanded marina for Indigenous marine tourism activities, such as kayaking, water taxis and whale watching, as well as a tidal park providing visitors access to the seafloor and tidal changes, will also be created.

For its sensitive, culturally and architecturally thoughtful implementation, the project received the Canadian Architect Award of Merit in 2024. Juror Matthew Hickey commented: "Interventions that consider the significance of the site are key to designing appropriate structures. The Tofino Fish Pier is exactly that – a minimal contemporary intervention that respects the existing architecture while visually integrating into the building ensemble. The work honours the past while embracing contemporary approaches to enhancing existing buildings."

The Tofino Fish Pier thus links past and future. It remains a piece of maritime industrial history, reimagined to highlight First Nations’ cultural identity and strengthen the Tofino community in a sustainable way.