Award

64 | DECEMBER 2018 Peter Pitseolak High School people or outsiders do not gain access to the corridors," says Boraks. Many program spaces of the school would also be used by the community. The key design feature became the central "Kiva" gathering area, intended to be used by the staff and students throughout the day. Included in this space is a combination of built- in seating and cultural and school display cases, which provide the opportunity for school gatherings and community events. "Fixed bench-like seating, coloured windows, and a stage that also opens into the gym all contribute to a space that allows for impromptu gather- ings, teaching, and socialization," says Boraks. "Located off the gym and kitchen, the Kiva welcomes commu- nity members to become part of the sharing environment." The design eschewed complicated details and materials. "Rather, simple materials were used in creative ways," says Boraks. "Exposed ceilings and joints, an abundance of windows, and an abundance of colour are apparent throughout. Where possible, wood, or simulated wood, was used. And to ensure the building would bet- ter withstand arctic conditions, the exterior siding included aluminum metal planks that were embossed with a wood pattern." Construction commenced in April of 2017, just 20 months after the original high school was destroyed. "We were bound by the fact that we get three maritime transports for materials, in July, late August, and October," notes Hellstrom. The team was able to ship to the site all the blasting and excavation equipment on the last barge in the fall of 2017 in anticipation of steel arriving on the first sealift in the spring. The blasting equipment was criti- cal to the project's success, because early on the design build team had decided to build slab-on-grade with a full basement (the architects and build- ers had already successfully completed a Nunavut school project containing a half basement). "So the first thing we did during the construction phase was drill and blast rock," says Hellstrom. "Also, we poured over 1,000 cubic metres of concrete, which is another noteworthy task for this region because it all had to be mechanically mixed." Once the concrete foundation was installed, the steel superstructure directly followed. The pace and efficiency of construc- tion continued throughout the summer, taking advantage of the warmer months. The design build team was then able to construct the building envelope by early fall, allowing acceleration of the major interior work. By the spring of 2018, all interior finishing work was nearing completion – nearly six months ahead of a standard construction schedule. Because of the team and their approach to this project, they were able to remove six months of design and development reviews and eight months of construction from the overall time- line. "The fact that we were able to open the school one year ahead of schedule is absolutely stupendous," says Boraks. A PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERRY KOPELOW PHOTOGRAPHICS, INC./ COURTESY PARKIN ARCHITECTS LIMITED Montreal: 514-593-8828 Quebec: 418-659-4400 www.tapico.com Commercial and Sports Flooring Specialist Tapico.indd 1 2018-11-12 9:53 M_L Painting.indd 1 2018-11-08 8:49

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