The Thingvalla community’s origins begin in Iceland and consequently Gimli, Manitoba during the beginning of the twentieth century. Due to discrepancies in how to move forward as a Lutheran group, the community then split off and migrated further west to Saskatchewan’s prairies. With limited time to build homes and cultivate land, sod-caves and log houses populated the prairie landscape.

The Westward IC serves as an interpretation center that reflects the migration and cultural heritage of the Thingvalla community and their evolution throughout time. The turf roof and lowered roof aids in hides the building in the landscape, while simultaneously inviting visitors forwards with the slanted geometry of the facade. The massing of the interpretation center reflects the direction of migration from Iceland, and symbols of Icelandic tradition are comparable to a new life in Canada through the transition from reference to turf houses and sod-caves to pre-fabricated wooden construction. The drastic divide between east and west mirror the past and present of the Thingvalla community through its construction and interior views.