Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 73 Whistle Bend Elementary School E X T ER I O R P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M I C H A EL EDWA R DS + I N T ER I O R P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M A R K K EL LY/CO U RT E S Y T H E GOV ER N M EN T O F Y U KO N WHISTLE BEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL by ROBIN BRUNET I n addition to fulfilling program- ming requirements, the new K-7 Whistle Bend Elementary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, is a prime example of architectural expres- sion achieving a distinct ambiance. On the outside, the two-storey structure's white metal cladding and fibre cement panels with black cladding on the gymnasium reflects the stark northern ter- rain of the surrounding region. Four main entrances highlighted with bright yellow invite people inside, where they are enveloped in the warmth of timber elements. Steven Biersteker, associate and sustainability lead at Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design Ltd., says, "All of this leads to a showcase at the core of the school: a double-height circular central gather- ing space with mass timber elements and Indigenous underpinnings." Jayme Curtis, director of opera- tions at the Government of Yukon's Department of Education, says, "Whistle Bend is one of Whitehorse's newest neighbourhoods, and it's growing rapidly. We needed a K-7 learning facility in the neigh- bourhood instead of bussing local children to other schools." Clarissa Wall, director of com- munications at the Department of Education, adds, "This is the first ele- mentary school built in Whitehorse since 1996, so it was a signifi- cant and exciting undertaking." The journey that led to its creation was complex, with Thinkspace leading the design process. Krysten Johnson, manager, communications and pub- lic relations for the Department of Highways and Public Works (which co- developed the facility) explains, "The architects on the design-builder's side are Northern Front Studio. The own- er's advisor is Colliers Project Leaders with Kobayashi + Zedda Architects [KZA] as part of Colliers' team, which developed the school up to the sche- matic design stage. Northern Front Studio led the design's completion and are the architect of record." All parties credit KZA for devel- oping an indicative design package with 30 photo-realistic render- ings that explicitly communicated the project team's design intent and ambience while leaving room for the design builder and archi- tectural team to innovate final construction means and methods. "It was a useful tool in help- ing us understand what the client wanted, and we were able to use our extensive knowledge of school design to enhance what had already been proposed," says Biersteker, who adds that his Vancouver-based firm collaborated smoothly with Whitehorse-based Northern Front Studio. "We did the front end design and they presided over the con- struction administration," he says. When asked how the final design differed from the indicative design, Biersteker replies, "We rearranged some spaces, refined the interior design, and expanded on the exist- ing concepts. For example, to provide LOCATION 33 Olive May Way, Whitehorse, Yukon OWNER /DEVELOPER Department of Education and Department of Highways / Public Works (Government of Yukon) PROJECT MANAGER Colliers Project Leaders ARCHITECTS Northern Front Studio (prime consultant and architect of record); Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design Ltd. (design architect); Kobayashi + Zedda Architects (indicative compliance architect) DESIGN/BUILD CONTR ACTOR Ketza Construction Corporation STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT BPTEC Engineering Ltd. GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT Tetra Tech Inc. TOTAL SIZE 46,900 square feet TOTAL COST $42.8 million

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