To accommodate a two-story expansion, the project began with the demolition of the east end of the building. The materials used for the envelope were chosen to provide excellent energy performance while allowing for ample natural light. Carefully coordinated with the existing cladding, the new masonry draws inspiration from the same window pattern but offers more openings. The interventions on the envelope also solved a problem of bulging masonry on the east wall.
The 1,828 m² expansion consisted in adding of a kindergarten classroom for 4-year-olds on the ground floor, a library on the upper floor, two sections of corridor connecting the existing building to the new section, a collaborative space, as well as an elevator.
In addition to the work on the base building, our design team conducted an important selection of furniture and finishes, designing custom-made furniture and incorporating a large amount of wood (Russian cherry, etc.) based on the Charte du bois. These choices were made with a focus on overall performance and sustainability, inspired by an ecological ideology that permeated the entire project. We also prioritized acoustic comfort in our material selections to promote learning and listening.
For this project, we were involved in all phases as the designated professional, working in joint venture with BGLA.