Bannockburn French Immersion Centre

Built in 1924, the original one-storey school building had undergone numerous renovations and three additions: a storey was added above, and extensions were added to the east and west of the structure. As such, the project required working with a complex two-storey (plus full basement) building consisting of various structural elements: wood framing, mass timber, steel, and masonry. To rehabilitate it, we pursued a comprehensive exterior and interior renovation, upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems, and extensive landscape work. 

To enhance the building envelope, we replaced all existing doors and windows with new ones that have half the U-value and replaced the roof with a new one that tripled the insulation value. The remainder of the envelope consisted largely of clay brick over structural clay tile. Without the option to overclad, the insulation was modestly upgraded while ensuring the clay tile structure would not accumulate moisture.

Within the school, we delivered a wide-ranging elementary school program, including three Kindergarten classrooms, six primary classrooms, four junior classrooms, one music room, a gymnasium, an office suite, a staff room and kitchenette, and support spaces, including storage, breakout rooms, and washrooms.

One of the main design challenges was how to strategically integrate modern, high-efficiency boilers and HVAC equipment into the building without compromising the original character of the spaces, which feature large windows and high plaster ceilings. Internal mechanical rooms were not an option due to space constraints, and the existing wood-framed structure was not adequate to support equipment on top of the roof as well as snow loads. To address this issue and avoid a full demolition and reconstruction, we proposed an innovative solution: an elevated dunnage platform supported by a standalone steel structure that extends through the building to newly constructed footings. The new system is automated and includes an Energy Recovery Ventilator that recovers approximately 70% of waste heat from the exhaust air. We also updated the electrical systems and replaced the existing lighting with LED lights to significantly reduce electricity use.

Other building upgrades included a new sprinkler system; fire-rated enclosures to separate the stairs from the basement level; code-compliant guards and handrails for the existing stair; and new lighting and electrical systems. We also renovated the existing gymnasium at the basement level, incorporating new athletic flooring, acoustic treatments, AV infrastructure, and automated sun-control systems.