BUILDING EXCITEMENT
TRIBAL HOME BASE
FOUR WINDS CASINO
Dowagiac , Michigan
WHEN IT CAME TO THE MAJOR design decisions for the third casino of southwest Michigan ’ s Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Nation , the model already existed — the tribe ’ s first two Four Winds casinos , in Hartford and New Buffalo , Michigan .
Those casino properties , designed by Memphis-based architectural firm Hnedak Bobo Group , called on the history and culture of the Pokagon band , which remained in the southern Great Lakes region when the bulk of the Potawatomi migrated westward in the 1830s .
“ We conducted a cultural investigation with the Pokagon client to learn the elements that tribal citizens wanted to incorporate into their gaming properties ,” says Nathan Peak , lead designer and senior associate at Hnedak Bobo Group . “ At the entrance is an ‘ eternal flame ’ hearth room for guest lounging , featuring a 360-degree circular fire pit covered by a copper hood , holding further symbolism of the tribe ’ s cultural heritage . The tribe was the first to use copper metal in tool and jewelry making .”
Birch wood is another important material element to the Pokagon Band , leading designers to utilize the faux birch logs to custom-create a unique pit canopy for the central table gaming area . Floor patterns were designed to represent tribal basketweaving .
Peak notes that the white birch wood above a table gaming area and stones used in the construction were from the area , which has long been home to many of the tribe ’ s 4,600 citizens . Featured artwork is also significant to tribal citizens and the area .
“ Given the integration of cultural motifs into the design , specialty fabricators and artisans were brought in to create the distinctive metalwork and artwork , and tribal artwork in the hearth room was provided by various Pokagon tribal members ,” Peak says . “ To ensure cultural authentication , the Pokagon Tribal Board developed the Pokagon Art Council to review all other specialty artwork created for the Four Winds Hartford Casino .”
The result was a re-creation of the Pokagon motif used in Hartford and New
Buffalo , but on a smaller scale . The Four Winds Dowagiac Casino , which opened April 30 , is a 27,000-square-foot casino with 305 slots and four table games . ( By comparison , Four Winds New Buffalo has a 135,000-square-foot casino ; Hartford , 52,000 square feet .)
“ The design by Hnedak Bobo Group was intended to give the Four Winds Dowagiac a look and feel similar to its larger sister casinos ,” says Tom Topash , a tribal council member . “ We had input on the design details , such as images of otters and water lilies . The designers really listened to us . It ’ s all there .”
The location of the newest Four Winds , though , gives added significance to the cultural heritage incorporated into the design . For the Pokagon Band , Dowagiac is home . The band ’ s government offices are in Dowagiac , as well as many of its citizens .
“ People have asked , why build here ?” says Tribal Chairman Matt Wesaw . “ Why here ? It ’ s home . We didn ’ t move here . This is home .”
— FRANK LEGATO
OWNER : Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Nation ARCHITECT : Hnedak Bobo Group INTERIOR DESIGN : Hnedak Bobo Group
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS : Christman Company and Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
ENGINEERING : Classic Engineering , structural engineer ; PE Services , mechanical engineer ; Wrightman Engineers , civil engineer
14 CASINO DESIGN 2013