Features include:

  • A series of earth and masonry screens were developed to create outdoor recreational space while serving to protect students from aircraft noise and view of taxiing aircraft.
  • The sweat lodge is a spiritual centre for First Nations cultures.  The space is designed to emulate the traditional woven willow reed structures found across the prairies, through its geometry, orientation and articulation. It functions as a modern sauna, using electricity to heat the stones in a controlled environment. Wood was used to create this space as it is a material that occurs naturally in the world – the connection with the earth is an important characteristic of the traditional sweat lodge. Furthermore, wood helps differentiate the space, as the surrounding structures are standard gypsum board walls and concrete block.
  • Energy consumption was decreased by the re-use and modification of existing boilers and power distribution systems.
  • 100% of the building structure and shell were re-used. Of the non-shell elements, all washrooms were re-used, as were the bulk of the building systems.
  • All classrooms have daylight and access to views is provided from all offices, workshops and classrooms.
  • Thermal mass of existing building is kept accessible, by using suspended “clouds” for acoustical absorption.