Size4,500 square metres
OwnerB.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care
Structural EngineerEquilibrium Consulting Inc.
Structural systemsHybrid / OtherLow risePassive House / High performancePost + beamPrefabricated
Project materialsCross-laminated timber (CLT)MillworkPanellingPlywoodSolid-sawn heavy timber
The school on the east coast of Vancouver Island incorporates reclaimed wood into its design, as well as glue-laminated timber (glulam) and mass timber panels, topped off with a 3,000-square-metre timber roof.
École Au-coeur-de-l’ile is truly a 21st century school that looks to the future by offering significant educational and environmental leadership. During the day, it delivers cutting-edge learning opportunities for 380 francophone students from kindergarten to grade 12 in the Courtenay and Comox Valley region. At night, the building turns into a community hub.
The building is a lesson in sustainable design and construction. It demonstrates the latest in sustainable building techniques, with a LEED Gold standard certification.
Reclaimed Douglas-fir from the site’s previous building was used to construct a 7.5-metre glazing wall. Salvaged wood was also used to build benches and display cabinets. Interior spaces include exposed glulam beams and mass timber panels to form unique reading alcoves and multi-purpose spaces. The building has a 3,000 square-metre wood roof.
The project involved the demolition of the former building and salvaging of timber for re-use in the new school. Other design features include ground source (geothermal) heating and cooling, natural ventilation,reuse of rainwater for irrigation and extensive use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) in construction.
Studies have shown that the use of wood features for schools provides a relaxed, productive indoor environment, promoting a sense of well-being and creating special places that inspire open thinking and new ideas.
In 2012, École Au-coeur-de-l’île received the WoodWorks BC Design Award for Institutional Wood Design—Large (external link). The award recognizes the benefits of wood in a large institutional application while showcasing the special qualities of wood such as strength, durability, beauty, versatility and cost effectiveness. The judges praised the appropriate and elegant use of wood in the school, especially the use of certified timber in its 3,000-square-metre roof.