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M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | 71 Argyle Elementary School & École St. Pius X R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y N U M B ER T EN A RC H I T EC T U R A L G RO U P ARGYLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & ÉCOLE ST. PIUS X by ROBIN BRUNET A s provinces across Canada tackle the challenge of build- ing enough new school infrastructure to keep pace with a growing student population, a solu- tion of joint-use facilities occupied by different school divisions is under- way in Saskatchewan, with the new Argyle Elementary School & École St. Pius X being a prime example. The $47-million, 11,050-square- metre facility was designed along 21st century learning principles; the two schools (each of which can accommo- date up to 400 students) are linked by a community space with access to both school gyms, a 51-space child- care centre, a shared commercial kitchen, and community classroom. According to the Regina Board of Education, the project was several decades in the making, with stake- holders agreeing in 2009 to create a new learning facility that would replace the original Argyle school (built in 1950) and École St. Pius X (built in 1953). "These had reached the end of their life," says LeeAnn Croft, principal architect at 1080 Architecture Planning + Interiors. Number TEN Architectural Group partner Gabe Derksen says his firm was retained as the prime consultant and lead designer: "We led the early conceptual pro- cesses and exterior design, and 1080 Architecture was responsi- ble for the interior of the facility." The early stages of the project saw stakeholders debate whether to build the new schools in one or two phases. Single-phase construction meant opening both schools at the same time before demolishing the old Argyle school – a cheaper option that would shorten the construction schedule but require the new facility to be built around the old school. Two-phased construction meant the new Argyle school would open first, then the old school could be demolished and the site prepped for the new St. Pius. The single-phase option was ulti- mately chosen in 2020, and a detailed design plan was undertaken based on initial calculations of the new facil- ity's footprint, its orientation, and storeys (two for Argyle, three for St. Pius including basement, as requested by the respective school districts). Derksen says the biggest challenge of the project from his perspective was that COVID hit: "Just as we were getting underway, and valuable con- sultation had to switch from in-person to online. That was the start of many pandemic-related challenges." The exterior form of the new facility was developed around the old school as a series of blocks (wings) of varying heights, with extensive use of masonry and bold vertical strips of glazing (double height for the Argyle main entrance, augmented by tall pillars) giving it a modernistic, warm appeal. Argyle's interior ambiance was developed around a tree house theme playing with form, pattern, and colour using a leaf and tree house motif, while St. Pius took inspiration from a circle feature in the old school entrance that became a jumping off point for a water theme. "Colour played a huge role in distinguish- ing the two schools both inside and out and tying the old school colours into the new building theming, with Argyle incorporating its historic 'Gator' green into the treehouses and St. Pius using its 'Patriot' blue in the water theme," Croft says. The penetration of natural light deep into the facility added to the appeal, as do grand staircases in both schools that open onto the learning commons and multi-purpose space. "And since the gyms connect to the multi-purpose space, we used acous- tic foldable dividers to segregate these areas or open them up depending on the need," Croft says. In-floor heat- ing and displacement ventilation was designed to very high standards. Quorex Construction Services Ltd. broke ground on the site in 2021; the Argyle portion of the new facility was built first, followed by the demoli- tion of the old school, followed in turn with the Pius portion built and then the original school's demolition. In addition to Quorex having to co-ordi- nate all deliveries along a single access road, "Costs and material availability were badly affected by the pandemic," according to Derksen, who adds that, "the number of products for the exte- rior and interior were off the charts, and many substitutions were required. It's a testament to the skill of contrac- tors, trades, and the consulting team that the new facility was able to enjoy a grand opening in September of 2023." Another joint-use school has been approved for Harbour Landing and the Regina school boards are seeking approval for another such facility in the east end of the city. "It's definitely an effective model for growing student populations, and the Argyle/St. Pius project proves that it is also attractive for end users," Derksen says. A LOCATION 3161 Lakeview Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan OWNER /DEVELOPER Regina Public Schools / Regina Catholic School Division ARCHITECTS Number TEN Architectural Group / 1080 Architecture Planning + Interiors GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Quorex Construction Services Ltd. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT JCK Engineering Inc. MECHANICAL CONSULTANT MacPherson Engineering Inc. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT ALFA Engineering Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 11,050 square metres TOTAL COST $47 million

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