Kwakwaka’wakw Big Houses, known as Gukwdzi in Kwak’wala are constructed in the shape of a square. The sides can measure from 40 to 60 feet long and the main entry is centrally located in the front of the building, which faces the ocean.

The doorjamb is constructed from two posts (A), six to eight inches in diameter and approximately four feet apart. These posts are joined by a cross bar or header.

The framework of the house front is made up of 6 vertical poles (C), placed 8 to 10 feet apart on each side of the door. The poles in the center are tallest and the two on either end are the shortest to accommodate the slope or pitch of the roof.

These poles are connected by crossbars (E) tied to the outer side, midway between the roof and ground. The framework for the rear of the house is similar to the front.

The side framework is much stronger in order to support the roof. Two heavy posts (F), approximately 9 inches in diameter are erected on either side; a beam of approximately 9 inches is laid across the top and notched at the joints.

The supports (U) for the roof measure two feet in diameter and also form the principal part of the framework. These are the first to be made when the house is built. The supports are also called house posts and are sometimes carved with the owner’s crests or lineal figures. Sometimes additional uprights (U) are installed near the centre of the house.

These house posts are connected by a crosspiece (G) of approximately the same diameter. On each side of the crosspiece (G) is a heavy beam (H), which runs the length of the big house from front to rear.

The rafters, which measure 8 inches in diameter, are laid over these heavy beams (H) and the tops of the side walls (F). After the rafters are in place, light poles (J) are laid across these, running parallel with the heavy beams.

After the roofing framework has been erected then a three-foot bank is raised all around the outlines of the house. Heavy boards, measuring three feet, are placed vertically along the front of the house and the earth forming the bank is stamped against these boards.

This forms the platform, which runs, along the front of the house. This is repeated all around the house. The upper edges of the front boards are channeled (or grooved) and the boards forming the front wall are slid into the groove and tied or nailed to the horizontal cross bar (E) and the rafters (R) closest to the front of the house. The back wall is constructed the same as the front but without the door.

The sidewalls are constructed from heavy planks implanted vertically in the ground with the top end tied to the beam forming the top of the framework. Stamping earth against the walls forms the platform around the interior walls of the house. The roof is composed of boards, which run from the gable to the sides of the house and lap on the edges, like Chinese tiles. This allows the rain to run from the roof without leaking into the house.

The roof has no smoke hole but the boards can be pushed aside to allow smoke to escape. These boards are then closed during the night and opened again in the morning using a long pole. A ladder is placed against the side of the house for easy roof maintenance.