V. Judy Brugh Community Center

The V. Judy Brugh Community Center is a welcoming, intergenerational space where youth can feel a sense of pride and connection to the Tribe, and elders can tell the Nation’s stories and history by the fireplace. The 112,897 SF project is currently under construction.

The Four Bears Segment of MHA Nation hired Brunton to design a facility filled with rich cultural and storytelling elements. The four distinctive architectural boxes that compose the exterior are symbolic of Chief Four Bears’ protective hand and the four main Tribal characteristics: power, pride, protection, and community. Materials were selected for their durability and cultural significance, including mass timber and glulam. 

The gym serves as the heart of the facility, highlighting basketball’s significant role in the community. The facility’s overall layout promotes connection between community members, with a track circulating in and around the gym that connects to a variety of amenities including  golf simulators, a fitness room, aquatic facilities, a movie theater, a nutrition bar, and a commercial kitchen. The reception desk and nutrition bar design feature stick and post details inspired by earth lodge construction. The lobby floor is crafted with a starburst terrazzo pattern, depicting a part of Chief Four Bears’ robe. The interior design also allows for the strategic placement of artwork, serving as a canvas for local artists.

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