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Agrandissement École primaire Saint-Louis
By : TLA Architectes
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Communication & Branding : Grand Winner
Categories : Environmental Design / Mural & Artistic Installation : Gold Certification
Categories : Environmental Design / Signage : Platinum Winner
In 2019, Quebec’s Ministry of Education introduced new construction criteria that would guide the design of new schools and unify the architectural image of school buildings across the province. The aim was to foster educational success, create an easily identifiable architectural identity and promote the use of local, sustainable materials. One material was at the top of the list: natural wood.
Whether used for structure or cladding, wood is still praised today for its sustainable qualities and beneficial impact on well-being. Opting for wood in school projects is therefore an obvious choice for our designers. But 5 years after the introduction of the new MEQ guidelines, our team wanted to rethink the use of wood beyond structures and furniture. For Saint-Louis School, the intention was therefore to explore the child’s deep connection with this material emblematic of biophilic architecture.
NOURISHING EMERGENCE
Elementary school is the last cradle of childhood, and passing through its walls is marked by a certain magic, as children let themselves go freely in play and marvel at the simple beauty of everyday life. This magic is a real treasure, and through the child’s eye, the imagination brings a whole world to life. A world where discovery and pleasure shape reality, where the environment becomes playful.
With this approach in mind, our designers wanted to bring children into contact with art and nature, using wood as the vehicle for this tangible, pleasure-driven connection.
WELCOMING NATURE
Within the vast walls of the school, it’s essential to create strong visual cues and a signage strategy on a child’s scale to enable easy orientation. To clearly identify the heart of the Saint-Louis school, the main pillar of the signage is positioned at the main axes of the extension and at the base of the architectural staircase. This visual landmark takes the form of a giant bear made entirely of wood!
The bear leaves no one indifferent, and its imposing size adds to its visual impact. Young and old alike are amazed by the presence of the animal, which is recognized for its symbolism of strength and wisdom. Ubiquitous in modern culture, an undeniable source of comfort and a blatant symbol of gentleness, the bear evokes benevolence and here plays the role of guardian of the learning mill that is the school.
Students can interact with the bear by climbing onto its base or offering it a caress as they pass through the main corridor. The tactile link with the wooden bear is encouraged by its materiality. Indeed, the bear is composed of an assembly of over 140 sheets of Russian plywood with smooth surfaces and organic contours.
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Although easily identifiable as a bear, the wooden animal takes on a rather stylized form, and we guess at its gentle features rather than expressing them in detail. Thus, we propose a simple silhouette and let the child’s imagination personalize the animal according to his thoughts.
When the school is empty, we like to imagine the bear wandering around the school and curling up in the large wooden portholes that offer visual breakthroughs to the Lair and Library. When the school comes to life, the bear resumes his role as guardian, casting a benevolent eye over the students who populate his forest.
DESIGN – AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
In addition to its aesthetic qualities and the wonder that the wooden bear evokes, it also becomes an educational tool for conveying the school’s values. The bear thus becomes a powerful symbol of benevolence, one of the 4 values of the Saint-Louis school. The school management turned the arrival of the bear into an opportunity to open a discussion with the students and find out their definition of benevolence. The students drew several pictures on this theme and chose to name their bear Toudoux. Toudoux responds to their need to connect with living things, acting as a pillar of stability in a constantly changing world. A secret accomplice to their dreams, he will accompany them throughout their school career.
Collaboration
