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École primaire Cardinal-Léger

By : PRISME architecture + Leclerc architectes

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Public Building / School & Preschool Education Building : Silver Certification

Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Wood : Silver Certification

Following the exceptional growth of the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Service Center\\\’s clientele, the expansion of Cardinal-Léger Elementary School, located in the heart of the City of Montreal\\\’s St. Laurent borough, was necessary as was the redevelopment of some of the existing building\\\’s space.

Integration into the context

The original building was designed in the early 1950s and expanded shortly thereafter, subtly maintaining the same style as the original. The new addition is in continuity with the existing building, extending into the existing schoolyard on Gratton Street south of the site. The design of the facades supports the contrast of materials already present on the existing school with bright red flashing and yellow brick. The integration of red is done by a monochromatic variation making the contrast between yellow and red softer. This coloring accentuates the signage of the new entrance and the gym, while providing a playful and dynamic architectural facture in the image of the users and the school of tomorrow. The use of gold/beige cladding echoes the existing brick with a more elongated modulation and slight variation in color, providing some texture. The new addition is modern in design and allows for the enhancement of the existing school\\\’s unique features.

Light and wood

The design of the school addition was planned to easily allow for community use of the athletic spaces outside of school hours. Circulation, access controls and service rooms allow for the sharing of the sports block to neighborhood citizens. Thus, through the location of secure doors, direct locker room/gymnasium/entrance links, these spaces can easily be isolated from the rest of the school and thus ensure the safety of the premises outside of \\\’\\\’teaching\\\’\\\’ hours.

Maximum natural light has been provided in almost every space. The windows of the gymnasium were oriented mostly to the southwest for greater luminosity, enhanced by a beautiful row of trees to densify the plant screen and thus avoid glare for young athletes. The colored glass, which matches the interior colors, creates a stimulating environment for the youth. Thus, even though the gym is located at the basement level, it is bathed in light through the curtain wall bays located at the top of its walls.

With regard to the materials, we opted for the use of wood in the \\\’\\\’public\\\’\\\’ areas of the school, to benefit as many users as possible. This includes the gymnasium for the main structural beams and acoustic wall panels, as well as the main corridors and library. The use of suspended acoustical wood ceilings accentuates the framing of the circulation core and enhances the ambiance with its warmth.

Particular attention was paid to the plant cover of the project. Thanks to the school\\\’s 3-level layout that reduces the project\\\’s footprint, the majority of the existing trees on the site were retained, including the 9 large hardwoods on the main façade. In addition, 39 new large trees (trunk diameter of 70mm), 150 shrubs, 175 black cedars of 1.5m in height and more than 120 potted grasses were planted in the schoolyard to separate the various activity zones. The roof garden adjacent to the library was also planted with planters. The landscaping includes a tiered outdoor classroom composed of large rocks laid in a semicircle and forming a friendly \\\’\\\’amphitheater\\\’\\\’.

Collaboration

Architect : PRISME architecture

Architect : Leclerc architecte

Engineering : Bouthillette Parizeau

Engineering : GBI

Photographer : Joël Gingras

General Contractor : Corporation Germano

Artist : Jennifer Lefort

Manufacturer - Distributor : SOPREMA

Manufacturer - Distributor : CGC

Manufacturer - Distributor : Armstrong

Manufacturer - Distributor : Decolam