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Saint-Albert-le-Grand Elementary School
By : YMa + YWA | architectes en consortium
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Public Building / School & Preschool Education Building : Bronze Certification
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Colour : Bronze Certification
The brightly coloured polished brickwork exterior of St. Albert-le-Grand School expansion is a ludic announcement of the activities that take place within its walls. The building is as much an elementary school as it is a gathering space for the Rosemont neighborhood community. This major project consists in the reorganization of the 2788 sq.m original infrastructure, built in 1956, and the construction of 2 extensions totaling 2875 sq.m. The MÉES (Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Quebec) program needed the addition of 14 classrooms, including 5 for kindergarten, 3 multi-purpose rooms that can open up to one another, becoming one large gathering space, a music laboratory, a gymnasium, and a 2 level library with a mezzanine and learning spaces.
The 2 new wings, located south and north of the existing building, frame the 2 school playgrounds and the gymnasium positioned at the back. This strategy contributes in making the outdoor spaces safe and comfortable for students while facilitating supervision during recess. Indoors, the collective areas are positioned in the south wing, which is along St. Joseph Boulevard, in order to simplify sharing these spaces with the community outside of school hours. As for the classrooms, they are mainly located in the north wing, which provides a quieter learning environment.
The inflow of natural light into the building and the creation of a healthy environment were the main points of concern for the designers. The window selection was an important element in order to avoid overheating and optimize air flow. Therefore, the new wings are equipped with triple glazing and opening shutters. In addition, LOW-E film, adapted to the orientation of each façade, and solar shades were installed to reduce heat gain within the school. The overall project is exemplary in terms of energy efficiency, thanks to the building being equipped with geothermal and stormwater management systems, natural ventilation throughout, and an envelope that performs 20% better than the NECB requirements.
Both extensions are linked to the existing building by a glazed interstice reminiscent of Montreal’s alleys, which provide maximum natural light in the hallways. The southern glazed opening houses the artwork Trajectories, created by the artist Roberto Pellegrinuzzi. The artwork also contributes to filtering solar radiation to prevent overheating in the library. Specific efforts were put into the conceptualization of the southern wing to address its collective function. The brickwork of this volume acts as a raised veil that directs the gaze and movements towards the entrances. The transparency of the new gymnasium and the continuity of its floor with the exterior allow the children to engage in their physical activities as if they were outside. The entrance from St. Joseph Boulevard leans against a limestone wall, which serves as a balance point for the suspended volume. In sum, this urban gesture becomes a cloak enveloping the heart of the school, composed of 2 playgrounds, where a playful language is deployed using the colors of the existing gymnasium and the emerald exterior of the 2 extensions.
Collaboration
Engineering : Bouthillette, Parizeau et Associés
