CONTEXT

This Canadian school project is conceived as a contemporary educational campus that blends material innovation, sustainable design, and hands-on learning. Organized around a central courtyard, the architecture unifies four building typologies—mass timber, steel, concrete, and masonry—into a cohesive environment that celebrates structural honesty and passive environmental performance. Two heritage structures, a timber rail shed and a historic masonry telegraph office, are thoughtfully adapted into workshop and administrative spaces, grounding the new campus in its cultural context.The design employs a hybrid “skin-and-bones” system: high-performance insulated façades form the outer skin, featuring R30–R35 wall assemblies, triple-glazed curtain walls, aerogel diffusing panels, and green roof systems. These components create a robust thermal envelope suited to Canada’s cold climate while maximizing daylight and minimizing energy consumption.

The structural “bones”—exposed CLT walls and floors, glulam beams, and large-span steel trusses—enable flexible interior layouts with spans reaching 15–20 meters, ideal for studios, workshops, and fabrication spaces.Orientation and microclimate strategies drive the project’s environmental responsiveness. South-facing facades capture winter sun, while the north wing acts as a windbreak, creating sheltered outdoor learning spaces. A landscaped western edge with indigenous plantings mitigates heat gain and enhances ventilation.Internally, exposed mechanical and electrical systems turn the school into a living educational tool. Raised access floors, adaptable service routes, and plug-in renewable energy systems allow students to study and test real building technologies.

Overall, the project demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to educational architecture—merging sustainable construction, adaptable structural systems, and experiential learning within a cohesive, climate-responsive campus.