St David Elementary Catholic School

St. David Catholic Elementary School in Sudbury, Ontario, capitalizes on its serene location in the heart of the Canadian Shield. It draws its inspiration from the natural landscape, with its streams, rocks and dense forests. The philosophy behind the concept calls for respect for the natural environment. It emphasizes the positive effects of exposed wood on the learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom. By linking the woodlands surrounding the school to the building materials chosen for their environmental friendliness, it was hoped that students learning in these environments would realize the importance of place.

The organization, form and layout of the project were chosen based on the topography. The design team in collaboration with a community partner named VETAC - Regreening Advisory Group made heavy efforts to minimize the impact of construction on their site which they chose to limit damage to trees. The few trees affected by the construction of the school were replaced at the end of the project to preserve the regreening efforts that had taken place at this site 50 years earlier. These actions were extremely valuable to the design team who saw the surrounding forest as an extension of the science classroom.

By constructing the building in the heart of the hill and allowing the creek and trees to guide its location, the design team sought to capitalize on the connection to nature that is created when one bathes in it. The influence and presence of this peaceful and quiet nature is echoed in the immediate surroundings and entrances to the building. There are two main entrances for students and staff. One is accessible from the parking lot and the other serves students walking to school. The lower entrance has a ramp and wide staircase joined to the sidewalk. Approaching the main entrance from the north side, people cross a bridge over a small creek before heading to the main lobby.
For the entrances, the design team wanted to take advantage of the warmth naturally provided by wood. The exposed wood accentuates these informal learning spaces by softening them and creating an inviting and nurturing environment. The economic value derived from the material's inherent thermal performance went hand in hand with the design team's belief in the physiological and psychological benefits of wood construction. For this project, the use of wood will result in lifetime operating cost savings due to the superior thermal performance of the material. This factor underscores the importance of wood for energy conservation. Wood has brought clear benefits to the learning environment at St. David Catholic Elementary School: a warm and inviting interior, healthy outdoor spaces, sustainable construction and ongoing energy savings.