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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 73 Walnut Park Elementary School P H OTO G R A P H Y [TO P O F PAG E] CO U RT E SY K M B R A RC H I T EC T S P L A N N ER S I N C .; [B OT TO M O F PAG E] C I N DY M C D I A R M I D P H OTO G R A P H Y/CO U RT E SY B U L K L E Y VA L L E Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T # 5 4 WALNUT PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL by LAURIE JONES I n the growing town of Smithers, B.C., not only students but the entire community is celebrating the open- ing of the Walnut Park Elementary School. Replacing a 67-year-old school that had more than done its time, the new two-storey school features mod- ern technology, learning spaces to provide ample room for children from kindergarten to grade seven, plus a community daycare area. "The design of the new Walnut Park Elementary School is a response to site influences, program, and a series of visioning workshops with the owner and users," says Witmar Abele, prin- cipal at KMBR Architects Planners. "Next generation pedagogy, which emphasizes student-centred learn- ing, was a central design influence. Features include break-out rooms, collaboration spaces, learning neigh- bourhoods, and visual access to learning spaces through the generous use of glass throughout the facility." He says the learning commons is on the second floor and amphithe- atre-styled seating is provided directly outside of the multi-purpose room, which has an exterior wall consist- ing of large movable glass panels that can be opened to turn the room into a stage. "When not used as spectator seating the amphitheatre serves as an outdoor classroom or simply for stu- dents to hang out during breaks." The interior colour scheme is a sim- ple palette consisting of neutral white painted walls, glulam timbers with a "pickle" finish, and eight-foot-high natural birch veneer wall protection panels. "In the learning neighbour- hoods a strong accent wall colour applied in select locations combined with matching room signage lends a sense of identity to each neighbour- hood," says Abele. The exterior of the school is also eye-catching, with materials that include a ground-face concrete masonry veneer at the ground level up to the second floor, and metallic grey cladding above, capped by generous roof overhangs with white soffits and charcoal fascias. Bright green accent V-shaped structural columns sup- porting the entrance canopy as well as composite aluminum panels of the same colour set into the fenestration complete the composition. Dave Margerm, project lead with the Bulkley Valley School District #54 says the school will be ready for the September school year. "The foyer is all glass in order to provide the stun- ning views to the outside. The ability to provide natural lighting and natu- ral colours, combined with the use of wood panelling in the hallways, cre- ates a warm tone for the building." He adds the school has a num- ber of energy efficient aspects and security features. "We have a natu- ral gas multiphase burner system that is fuel-efficient and turned on when needed in certain areas. Every light bulb is LED and dimmable and we've installed motion sensors as well. In the last eight years, our district's energy consumption has gone down due to the new technology." Margerm explains in a dual role for energy saving and security all win- dows in the school include rolldown shutters which was done for two pur- poses – to protect the windows because the school is in an area that may be subject to vandalism, and the shut- ters have R-value that helps when they automatically shut in the evenings, which helps avoid heat loss at night, and they open up in the mornings. In order to facilitate community involvement, the Province of B.C. awarded Walnut Park Elementary School $1.5 million that was used to build a commercial kitchen. "Both the school and members of the community can come in and use the kitchen space," says Margerm. Another stand-out feature of the school's design is the two-storey gym which features a wood theme and sprung maple floor system that will allow high school students to use it for events. "The gymnasium is spec- tacular," says Shawn Sampson, project manager for Kor Alta Construction Ltd. "One of the main walls in the central corridor is all glass so people walking through the school can see activities in the gym. The gym also has big projectors for potential video dis- plays on the high wall." Sampson says there will be a new sports field on the footprint of the old school. "This will be an irrigated field that was scheduled to be completed in 2022, but we're hoping to have it fin- ished in 2021." A LOCATION 4092 Mountainview Avenue, Smithers, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Bulkley Valley School District #54 ARCHITECT KMBR Architects Planners Inc. GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Kor Alta Construction Ltd. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Fast + Epp MECHANICAL CONSULTANT SMcN Consulting Inc. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT NRS Engineering Ltd. CIVIL CONSULTANT WSP Canada L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Rod Maruyama & Associates Inc. TOTAL SIZE 43,864 square feet TOTAL COST 25.6 million