The Design concept for the Wahta Mohawk Administration and Community Centre was designed around the Mohawk’s understanding of the cosmos. It was developed in the traditional longhouse form of the Six Nations Indians. Its orientation, as with the traditional longhouse, is east-west to symbolize the belief of elders populating the skyworld in the same manner. The long barreled roof is representative of the bowed poles in the construction of the bark covered structures that housed the extended families of their ancestors. The central fire of the longhouse of the past linked earth to the skyworld and underworld via the ‘cosmic tree’. This vertical line of communication has been translated into the circular ‘Council Chamber’ of the Administration portion of the building. The central smoke hole found in the longhouse is represented by the truncated cone located at the centre of the council chambers.

The east entrance of the centre represents the Mohawk’s honored position as ‘Keepers of the East Door’ with the symbolic longhouse. Hence, this entrance is the main entrance requiring the site to be planned so that the approach to the building and car park location bring you to the east end of the building.

The exterior of the building is finished in stucco except for the multi-purpose room, which has cedar siding. The interior is generally finished in drywall with as much exposed heavy timber decking, posts and beams as was practical.

The Community Centre aspect of this facility included a library, arts and crafts rooms, meeting and conference rooms, a Day-care centre, a Health centre, and an assembly hall, complete with stage and kitchen, appropriate for both performance and athletic activities. The band Administration Centre featured a council chamber, building reception, and offices for the chief, band manager, welfare, education, substance abuse, counselling, economic development and finance.