Award

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 | 55 Pembina Trails Collegiate P H OTO G R A P H Y BY L M A RC H I T EC T U R A L G RO U P (L M - E S P) PEMBINA TRAILS COLLEGIATE by NATALIE BRUCKNER P embina Trails Collegiate, a cut- ting-edge educational facility spanning 117,000 square feet, is not just a high school; it stands as a beacon of innovation and a pivotal ele- ment in the burgeoning community of Waverley West in Winnipeg's south- west quadrant. Designed to accommodate an ini- tial enrolment of 1,200 students, the school prioritizes modern learning amenities, creating an immersive destination that fosters student well- being and a strong sense of place, both inside and outside the classrooms. Serving as a pillar for the commu- nity's bright future, Pembina Trails Collegiate shares site access with the neighbouring K-8 school, Bison Run School, and will be adjacent to a future regional recreational centre. Lisa Boles, superintendent and CEO of Pembina Trails School Division under- scores the significance of Pembina Trails Collegiate: "Being the first high school to be newly constructed in Winnipeg in around 50 years, Pembina Trails Collegiate holds a unique position. It was crucial to gather feedback from the community to ensure that we got every- thing right from the very beginning." Penn-Co Construction Canada Ltd. broke ground the day after Thanksgiving in 2021. Despite starting on an open field with ample laydown space, the construction encoun- tered unexpected challenges. Brett Preun, project manager at Penn-Co Construction, recalls, "The weather did not co-operate. The precipitation we received in the winter and spring of 2022 is the most in 50 years. The project team worked hard to mitigate this, building access roads and pump- ing water out." Preun adds that the building itself employed various construction meth- ods, including piling, structural steel, load-bearing masonry walls, and a steel deck. "It's a fairly straightforward type of construction, and at its peak, close to 100 people worked on it," he says. While community collaboration was essential for this project, the spirit of teamwork extended beyond the school's boundaries. Jon Trenholm, architect and principal at LM Architectural Group | Environmental Space Planning (LM-ESP), empha- sizes the unique partnership with the neighbouring elementary school: "We collaborated closely with Prairie Architects, who were responsible for designing the adjacent K-8 school. Although we were two separate con- sultant teams, we had to collectively address how the schools would be sited and accessed. It was a collaborative and integrated process," he explains. The exterior design showcases thoughtful planning, aiming to fos- ter strong connectivity between the indoors and out, and is anchored by a base crafted from local Tyndall Stone. The stone's colour variation, achieved through unique quarrying methods, is enhanced with a golden hue in vari- ous finishes, imparting richness to the facade. Trenholm notes the art- ful complement of prefinished metal panels above the stone, introducing variation in profile and colour. The facilities' massing is high- lighted at its primary entrances that feature distinct colours and panel- ling, while a projection on the north side emphasizes the computer labs. Trenholm says the siting, outdoor play areas, and shared bus staging area foster connectivity between the two schools, with the south entry doors creating an inviting welcome to the senior years school for its neighbour. The architectural vision seamlessly transitions into the interior with focal points like the two-storey glass library learning commons adjoining a shared courtyard. This outdoor academic lab, an extension of the science wing, fea- tures a trellis structure, picnic tables, and integrated power and lighting, expanding and enhancing the overall learning environment. The central hub of the school is the two-storey student commons, anchoring four wings and serving various functions, from shared, active school spaces to a versatile lounge. Trenholm emphasizes the intuitive design, creating visual connections and a sense of intimacy. "Standing in the library learning commons you can look through to the gym. The scale is well-balanced, and despite its size, it creates a more intimate environ- ment," notes Trenholm. Boles agrees, adding, "The high school features a blend of expansive communal spaces and smaller, more intimate areas. One of the many design elements I love is in the classroom wings, where there are breakout areas for students to col- laborate and relax." When it came to the interior design, Shelly Slobodzian, principal and professional interior designer at LM-ESP, highlights the emphasis on this connectivity, flexibility, and com- munity: "At the heart of the school we created a vibrant streetscape concept that promotes transparency, con- nectivity, and security. Natural light LOCATION 50 Frontier Trail, Winnipeg, Manitoba OWNER /DEVELOPER Pembina Trails School Division ARCHITECT LM Architectural Group (LM-ESP) GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Penn-Co Construction Canada Ltd. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Crosier Kilgour MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Epp Siepman Engineering CIVIL CONSULTANT WSP INTERIOR DESIGN Environmental Space Planning (LM-ESP) L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT HTFC Planning & Design TOTAL SIZE 117,000 square feet TOTAL COST $37.6 million

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