École Saint-Joachim Expansion and Renovation

As a K-12 school delivering French language programming for La Broquerie and the surrounding region, École Saint-Joachim underwent a major redevelopment to add capacity and revitalize learning amenities to better meet the needs of the school and community long term. Upon the Department of Education conducting detailed functional programming, LM-ESP was retained to modernize existing school spaces and replace temporary portable learning accommodations with a permanent 46,000-sf high school wing addition.

Previous eras of school construction, site parameters and servicing restrictions prompted a detailed pre-design process to strategically configure the expansion. The new two-storey high school is situated on the east side of the school and adds 16 classrooms, science and STEM labs, vocational programming, a fitness studio, gymnasium and support space. Renovations to the existing facility are highlighted by a two storey linking commons, new administration suite, multi-purpose room and band room. Collaborating with the Division, overall project delivery was coordinated in concert with ongoing school operations to minimize disruption on-site.

Inspired by the local natural context, an earth-toned colour palette meets angled, multi-toned acoustic paneling resembling a meandering treetop, while linear light fixtures reference nearby forest ecology. The addition targets LEED Silver Certification through diverse sustainable design strategies, including repurposing the use of existing materials, strategic access to natural daylight and a courtyard rain garden system for effective site water management year-round.

The high school addition reintroduces the K-12 learning campus as a connected, spacious and efficient community asset for the future.