Issoitapi Elementary School

Issoitapi Elementary School represents a significant architectural achievement that seamlessly integrates modern educational design with traditional Blackfoot cultural values. Located on Kainai Nation (formerly Blood Tribe) in Glenwood, Alberta, this innovative facility replaces a 30-year-old structure that no longer met the community's growing needs.

The school's design prominently features mass timber construction throughout, most notably in its large gymnasium with exposed mass timber roof assemblies. The building incorporates exposed and color-coded building systems that transform the educational space into a "3D textbook," allowing students to learn about building systems directly from their environment. The angular, culturally significant design required precision routing of HVAC, sprinklers, and plumbing systems through the exposed mass timber rooflines while preserving the architectural intent.

Wood construction plays a central role in the facility's sustainable design approach. The project targets Net Zero Carbon performance and incorporates a closed-loop geothermal field with 30 boreholes reaching 500 feet deep for efficient heating and cooling. The mass timber elements contribute to the building's low-carbon footprint while creating warm, natural learning environments that reflect the community's connection to the land.