b'Design renderings courtesy of Station One Architects. COVER STORYThe extensive use of wood throughout the common areas contributes to the natural ambience within the building and ties into the design of modern programmatic features, including universal washrooms and pockets of socialization spaces.Matt Brennan of Station One Architects explains that the project is designed with the 21st century learning classroom style, meaning that the classrooms all open up into a central, open makerspace classroom to enable collaborative learning between classrooms. A state-of-the-art makerspace robotics room and a photography studio are also part of the design.Brennan emphasizes the inclusion of non- We click.gender-specific, all-inclusive washrooms. Theres an open common area for your sinks, but each stall is private. It creates a more public, open space with associated sightlines, he explains. The gym will also have an inclusive change room, with individual, private change areas with stalls, full walls and full lockable doors for the individuals to change in.The 21st century learning design and the makerspaces are really what bring it together. We do have centralized learning stairs, right in the main entry, Brennan continues. Theres your main staircase going up to the second floor, but it also includes an 18- by 18-ft. riser that becomes kind of an amphitheatre. With the design,The future is digital.weve managed to create these outlays, different little pods throughout the newLets explore it together.addition, but also in the existing section as well, so if the teacher wants to [they can]Find out more about our specialty insurance get out of the classroom and bring someand surety solutions.ideas to these more relaxed environments. Brennan notes that the same concept is being applied to the exterior, and with the sloping of the site, there was an opportunityTrisura Guarantee Insurance Company is a to add retaining walls and amphitheatreCanadian owned and operated Property and seating to blend the two environments.Casualty insurance company specializing The amphitheater feature, in fact, was ain niche insurance and surety products. feature that arose as a result of student and staff feedback. Both were presentedWe are a proud supporter of the Insurance with the initial design back in 2019, andBrokers Association of Canada.their feedback was incorporated into the design where possible, with the outside amphitheater being just one example.www.trisura.comThere were several requests for outside seating and gathering areas, explains Art McDonald, Director of Facilities for School District #73, and the architects were able to incorporate some stepped seating areasa step aboveinto the retaining wall designs to provide the seating.SICA CONSTRUCTION REVIEWFall 202155'