Home The interior Francis H. Clergue French Immersion Public School
Francis H. Clergue French Immersion Public School
The creation of the new Francis H. Clergue French Immersion School is a celebration for Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District School Board, says Mario Turco, director of education with the Algoma District School Board. "New schools have not been built in our community for nearly 50 years," says Turco. The school is a two - storey building conceived as a pavilion in the park, according to Stephen Teeple of Teeple Architects Inc. "It sits within a picturesque landscape and has views out to the wooded ravine," says Teeple. "This as a cost - effective and highly efficient building. Energy efficiency strategies include a high - efficiency mechanical system, high - quality operable windows, radiant floor heating and VOC - free materials and finishes throughout." It was designed as a school in a park due to its unique location, says David Ellis of David Ellis Architect Inc. "Clergue Park forms the south boundary of the existing site but the new school is located more centrally and connects to the park," he says. "We centred the kindergarten classes along an area with a gully and trees so the children have views of nature. The whole school has an open and airy feel, bringing everyone together through use of glass walls and connecting spaces. Double - storey spaces, round skylights, dish - shaped ceiling lights and floating bulkheads coloured in bright red, green and blue, make the interior bright, open and fun." Everything is designed with the highest efficiency in mind, says Tim Janzen, principal engineer and owner of MET Energy Systems. "A high - efficiency, modulating heating plant was designed in conjunction with a ventilation system that utilizes energy recovery." "All systems are tied into a central building management system to provide optimal system control. An interactive screen at the entrance is tied into the facilities building management system and allows students and teachers to see how much energy is being consumed," saysJanzen."LEDlightingsystems,along with occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting have also been installed to minimize lighting power consumption. The building has sophisticated video surveillance, security, PA and telephone systems which are all IP - based." Funding for the project was provided by the Ministry of Education at $15,473,400, which covers construction costs, as well as additional costs associated with taxes, furnishings and equipment, architectural and consultant fees, disbursements and licensing. "The school board took possession on August 24 and we welcomed students and staff for the first day of school on September 6," says Turco. "There are still some cosmetic details and other construction items to be completed. However, we are running smoothly and are completing some miscellaneous items after hours and on weekends." The school board is very pleased with the construction and how inviting the building is, says 1\irco. "With its modern architecture, the facility features a two - storey open - concept design that allows for plenty of natural light in many of the common areas," he says.
"We started with a very efficient building envelope and energy system," says Ellis, referring to the energy - efficient elements. "Additionally, there is natural ventilation and daylight, a reflective roof, low - VOC materials, low - flow toilets and the planning involves a water - retention pond and other sustainable features." A library, forum and stage area is the heart of the school. The forum will be a multipurpose space that can function as a mini auditorium or program activity area. "A kitchen is located off one wing of the stage to accommodate food service for breakfast programs, community meetings and graduation receptions," says Turco. "A unique feature for a northern Ontario school is specialty rooms, such as an art room, a music room with tiered floors, and a science lab with proper casework for full experiments," says Ellis. "The gym is much larger than normal in elementary schools and is interconnected with a two - sided stage backing onto the open forum that can be used with or without seating." The forum opens into the library through a glass wall, providing a continuous space of several hundred visually connected feet from the library to the gym. "Classes for older grades are set in pods with a linking glassed - in room at the centre," says Ellis. "These rooms house equipment, activities and opportunities not normally found in classrooms, such as computers, science equipment and art supplies. Teachers will be able to send small groups to these discovery centres for study, discovery work or special projects, yet have a visual connection with them." Large kindergarten rooms are designed with their own exterior entrances and secured play areas. "Kindergarten classrooms are placed in pairs and are adjoined by bathroom facilities, storage areas and boot racks," says Turco. "The bus loading zone accommodates bus traffic off the street providing a safe pickup and drop - off area." "Staff rooms are located at the back of the school to provide supervision," continues Ellis. "Cars and street traffic enter through the front lot and use the front entrance, overseen by the administration offices. This separates cars and buses, and reduces traffic by half on each side." The building is comprised of a combination of load - bearing masonry and steel - frame structure, says Randy Bel - tramin, principal engineer with Stem Engineering. "Although the structure was conventional in design, the site work had a unique feature. What was once a parkland was developed into a school building, paved areas and playgrounds. The site drains into the top end of a shallow ravine, which runs through a public park. Site drainage had to continue into this ravine. To ensure the dramatic increase in stormwater runoff from the developed site didnt create a safety issue, an underground system was designed to detain and clean the stormwater. This ensured that the post - construction conditions were an improvement to pre - construction.
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