ST. PAULS COLLEGIATE

The project is located in Elie, Manitoba, and involved comprehensive envelope, laboratory, and accessibility upgrades to an existing school. The original portions of the building, constructed in 1961 and 1968, were clad in sandstone face brick, and the building envelope had reached the end of its service life. As part of the renewal, the classroom glazing ratio was increased to approximately 40% of the wall area to improve daylighting and learning environments.

The existing buildings featured an undulating façade that limited the amount and size of glazing. The upgrade strategy flattened the façade, widened the vertical strip windows, and extended them from floor to ceiling. The alignment of the window heads with the interior ceiling line established a strong horizontal datum around the building. This datum informed the design of a recessed main entrance, further emphasized by a generous opening and the addition of new concrete entry stairs and an accessible ramp.

A custom blend of red brick was selected to re-clad the upgraded portions of the school, tying the new work to the existing areas that were not renovated. This approach allowed flashing colours and detailing to remain consistent throughout the building. Recharacterized by clean lines and a simplified expression, the renewed façade provides the school with a highly visible, contemporary, and cohesive identity.

Michael was the Partner in Charge from project start through completion while at Cibinel Architecture.

Client / Province of Manitoba
Location / Elie, Manitoba
Architecture / Cibinel Architecture
Michael Acht Role / Partner in Charge
Building Area / 20 000 SF
Cost / $3.6m
Completed / 2019

General Contractor / Whitechurch Construction
Structural / Crosier Kilgour
Mechanical / Epp Siepman Engineering
Electrical / Epp Siepman Engineering
Civil / Barnes & Duncan

Photo Credit / Lindsay Reid Photography