The practice

This new elementary school for over 500 pupils was designed to replace an older existing school and to integrate with the surrounding residential neighbourhood. 

​

Working with Mitchell Jensen Architects and the Near North District School Board, design was based on a similar school developed by the same team in Parry Sound as well as on guidelines for pedagogy and fit-up across the school board system. Spaces are full of light and natural materials. Built on a foundation of stone and wood with fresh white walls and a few pops of colour, interior finishes provide a quiet, enduring background for the layers of materials and colour that children and teachers add, inspired by their own creativity each season and year. 

 

Furniture throughout was specified to suit varying ages, support flexible learning scenarios, and be safe, durable and sustainable over many years. Much of the product has a percentage of recycled material content. 

​

​

Photographs by Paul Mitchell and Nathan Jensen