Opening its doors to the community
Placing the student at the center of the design choices for the new Laval Secondary School, the project team has created a stimulating environment that promotes learning, socialization and healthy lifestyles. Characterized by large indoor and outdoor common spaces, the new school will also make room for visitors and neighbourhood involvement.
Bordered by a residential area, the site of the new school is located near a vocational training center, sports fields, a park, and a wooded area. The school is made up of two buildings: One for pedagogy and the other for sports, the institution maintains an important sports offer for the students and their community. A central esplanade connects these two buildings and establishes a link with the park and the surrounding pitches.
A second green esplanade extends across the front of the pedagogical block to provide access to the main entrance of the school. This inviting space contributes to students and the neighbourhood making the site their own. This building also includes a library and an open amphitheatre with 650 seats which opens onto the centre of the school, a place of gathering and community life for the students. Subsequent floors are punctuated by multi-purpose collaborative spaces. The sports block includes five platforms that benefit from abundant natural light, thanks to large windows.
This school is part of a group of four new innovative high schools that will be built in Chambly, LaSalle, Mirabel and Laval. The creation of a unique architecture, adapted to each of their respective environments, transforms the schools into places that promote collaboration, openness, learning and pride for students, teachers and visitors. More than a place of learning, these schools become places of dialogue, and spaces open to their environment. This new generation of high schools is a first step towards the school of tomorrow, reinforcing the role of the school as a community player.
