Alexander-Wolff elementary school
Centre de services scolaires de la Capitale
Category
Education, sports and leisure
Client
Centre de services scolaires de la Capitale
Location
Shannon (Québec) / Canada
Date
2019
Budget
10,5 M$
Area
2970 m²
Credits
Photos © Stéphane Groleau
Description
The expansion of the Alexander-Wolff school includes 15 new classrooms and a sports field. Built in the 1950s in Shannon (Valcartier military base), the existing school was at full capacity, accommodating almost 550 students. The project was split into two construction zones (classrooms and gymnasium) to limit the footprint on the already very small site. This solution made it possible to preserve interesting outdoor courtyard areas for the students.
The building's two-storey layout, with a central hall, made it possible to respect the program by optimizing surface areas, while at the same time offering high-quality spaces. As a bonus, innovative educational zones (ZEPI) were created, as well as a play cave and bleachers. An existing classroom was relocated to position the new plateau's services close to the existing changing rooms. The gymnasium's roof decking and beams are made of wood, thus promoting the use of this available and renewable resource, which is promoted in the Quebec government's Wood Charter.