Barclay School expansion by NFOE

Description of the project by NFOE et associés architectes

NFOE’s architects decided to pursue a design that would be both contemporary and respectful of the historical building. They were also faced with the local residents’ preoccupations about the potential loss of access to the vacant green space, just north of the existing school, which they had become accustomed to enjoying as “their park”.

Through quality design, the architects wished to foster a strong sense of belonging amongst the mostly immigrant families of the neighbourhood. Barclay School was awarded one of Montreal’s most prestigious awards, the Grand Prix du Design, in 2014.  

Program

Barclay School is an elementary school located in Park Extension, a neighborhood with a fast growing youth population. The school was in great need of additional classroom space, but it also lacked an adequate sports facility.

The proposed project included fourteen (14) new classrooms, a computer and robotics room, daycare space, a multi-purpose area, administrative offices and a new double height gymnasium, to be made available to the area’s residents outside of school hours.

Architectural response

Due to the nature of the grounds, the most logical location for the new construction was the site immediately north of the existing building. The 2853-m² three-storey addition was built as a lateral extension to the older building, with floors carefully aligned for almost seamless circulation between the existing and the new. A full-height glazed atrium acts as a pivot and highlights one of the older brick facades. Open to above, it serves as a welcoming multi-use space on the ground floor.

The brick chosen for the new wing recalls that of the historical building with its delightful latticework reproduced on the exterior walls of the gymnasium. The contemporary North façade appears to be partially folded, an allusion to "a butterfly unfolding its wings before flying away," to quote the designer. Windows were positioned in a random pattern, allowing the children to catch unusual glimpses of the world beyond.

The volume of the new gymnasium (two-storeys high instead of three) was built at a slight angle, altering the rhythm of the West façade and sheltering the daycare service entrance. Straddling the entire length of the gymnasium, a fine wire mesh, designed as a “green” screen, is anchored to a solid metal frame aligned with the historic building. The screen, which delimits the area available for a range of rooftop activities, also acts as a brise-soleil protecting the roof from excessive heat. Perched on top of the structure, a sculpture of a young bronze tightrope walker watches over the schoolyard.

Interiors 

Communication between the new wing and the 1930 school is smooth as the architects ensured alignment of the floor levels. The ambiance is completely different however as one penetrates the atrium where natural light abounds and the eye catches subtle dashes of colour. Corridors are open to each other from floor to floor and are a source of constant surprise for curious children.

A tangy green colour defines one of the gymnasium’s walls and is echoed on the small storage boxes lining the corridors. It reappears on a playful emergency staircase in the back, which “might just as well have been a giant slide”, according to the designer. On the second and third levels, a bright orange volume signals the children toward the rooftop above the gymnasium. 

Sustainability

The project addressed a number of sustainable issues and targeted a 25% reduction in energy consumption using the NECB as a benchmark. The building’s envelope was designed to improve the school’s energy performance, and a thermal wheel-based heat recovery system was installed. The new wing also features a reflective white roof and a vegetal screen.