The new St. Conrad Catholic Elementary school reinvigorates its neighbourhood by reaching out to the community through student-centered design that focuses on sustainability.

Conceived for the net generation, it marries innovation with high design through a bold fusion of resilient every-day building materials re-imagined and forms that echo light and warmth. With streaming daylight and views to the outside, the layout fosters an open, transparent environment within the school that visually integrates it with its site and outdoor playing fields.

A bright soaring atrium connects the multistory academic wing to the shared community spaces; corridors are shorter, with abundant natural light and punctuated with breakout spaces to encourage learning beyond the classroom.

The design sets the environmental standard for elementary schools with in-floor radiant heating systems, displacement ventilation, systems, high performance glazing and lighting, occupancy sensors, external shading devices, ballasted roofs for urban heat island reduction and drought tolerant landscaping.