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École primaire Val-David
By : TLA Architectes
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Other categories in architecture / Concept & Unbuilt : Bronze Certification
More and more young families are putting down roots in Val-David. Children are being born in this setting conducive to healthy development, and soon a school will see the light of day. TLA Architects is drawing up plans for this new elementary school.
As the cradle of Nordic sports, the arts and gastronomy in the Laurentians, Val-David offers a context bubbling with life and nature. This impetus inspired us to imagine a place of learning in the image of the environment.
LEARNING IN THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS
Enclosed by the Césaire and Condor mountains, a vast plain is home to a haven of learning. It is here, nestled in the natural beauty of the mountains, that the school will take root. Every nook and cranny is designed to celebrate the natural surroundings. Large bay windows open onto panoramic mountain views, offering students a constant connection with the beauty outside. Indeed, each pavilion is positioned to offer splendid views, creating, through the window frames, tableaux of images that change with the seasons.
IMAGINARY TREE
The architectural design proposes the idea of a haven that develops at the intersection of an imaginary tree. This giant tree is the centerpiece of the design and the stump from which the pavilions branch out. Fragmented into four branches, the school is designed in pavilion mode and accommodates 24 classes.
A first branch houses service and community functions. These include specialized arts and music facilities, the learning hub, the multi-purpose hall and administration. Through its form and orientation, this volume forms the main branch and supports welcoming and gathering.
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Classes come to life on two other distinct branches, forming small communities and responding to the desire to create a natural separation of teaching cycles.
A final branch, meanwhile, accommodates sports activities with a gymnasium and motor room. This offshoot of the imaginary tree allows independent access for the community while limiting access to the pedagogical areas.
At the same time, the building’s exterior is designed to provide a natural separation of the teaching cycles.
Outdoors, lush gardens surround the pavilions, creating inspiring spaces for moments of play and relaxation. Outdoor courtyards, educational gardens and forest trails allow students to connect directly with nature. This is how the imaginary tree spreads out, to root the school firmly in its environment. In the schoolyard, the imaginary tree leaves a final trace of its presence, while a giant leaf becomes a play module for students.
NORDIAN SIGNATURE
The architectural signature is the result of a symbiosis between the school and its environment. The stone wall bases feature a rough texture that evokes the solidity of rocks, and the wood is reminiscent of the surrounding trees.
At the main entrance, the verticality is particularly marked and is intended as a mirror on the forest. Strips of wood rise up, echoing the silhouettes of the many trees that dominate the mountains just a few steps away.
The roofs, which have been designed to look out onto the forest, are particularly striking.
The roofs that crown the school are emblematic of the Nordic region, since their slopes allow them to withstand the rigors of the climate. The silvery reflections of these roofs reflect the sunlight and evoke the purity of snow-covered landscapes.
The school’s roofs are emblematic of the Nordic region as their slopes withstand the rigors of the climate.
BIOPHILY AND ECONOMY
Located in the heart of a wooded area, the Val-David school could not do without wood, both in appearance and structure. In this respect, the concept makes generous use of this noble material, which will in fact make up 100% of the structure. This unusual structural choice in school architecture, is not only guided by aesthetic virtues, but is also based on estimates quantifying a saving of around $400,000 in construction costs.
In terms of insulation, wood transmits 400 times less energy than steel. What’s more, using a wood structure instead of steel reduces the carbon footprint by around 10%.
At the same time, the use of wood as a building material can reduce the energy consumption of the building.
The use of wood stimulates biophilia and the local economy. Indeed, a skilled workforce specialized in wood-frame construction is present in the Laurentians. The use of wood serves the architectural concept and the environment well, while respecting the intentions of the MEQ issued in the Guide de planification immobilière, aimed at enhancing the value of this sustainable material.
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In short, the design of this school is a tribute to the beauty of nature and the importance of sustainability. This place offers a stimulating learning space where students will grow in harmony with their environment.
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