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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 75 Peter Ewart Middle School PETER EWART MIDDLE SCHOOL by ROBIN BRUNET T he success of Peter Ewart Middle School's seismic upgrades and classroom addition is due in part to the fact that the Langley, B.C. facility used to be a secondary school. Specifically, there was no available surrounding space for the school to expand to accommodate 900 students in total. But, because the former sec- ondary school contained spaces and programs not needed by middle school students, Langley School District No. 35, Station One Architects, and Unitech Construction Management were able to undertake an extensive transformation of the facility – while classes were still in session. Marcello Moino, assistant super- intendent at Langley School District No. 35, says, "This school has been in constant transition since it first opened in September 2019. With the initial shift from a secondary school to a middle school, then the pandemic, and currently the seismic upgrades in progress, it has been a building that has experienced considerable change. The completed project will bring consistency and a sense of belonging for students, staff, and families." Calvin Lal, the District's assistant director of facilities, maintenance and capital projects, adds, "Peter Ewart was originally constructed in 1976 and converted to a secondary school in 2019. We launched an options anal- ysis in 2016 with the goal to convert to a full middle school; Station One Architects came on board in 2019, and we received funding for the proj- ect in 2022. We were fortunate that such a complex project has gone fairly smoothly, with completion anticipated by February 2025. "The fact that we managed to add 11 classrooms within the existing foot- print was a great plus and came about because spaces such as a photo lab, an audio-visual room, and other pro- gram rooms were either outdated or not necessary for middle school learn- ing and could be converted." Quintin van Dyk, architect at Station One Architects, says the task was aided by the difference in current learning space sizes in 2024 compared to decades ago: "Because of the area differences between modules for middle and sec- ondary schools we were able to gain additional learning spaces to make up the shortfall that was required." Still, the project was complex, and the District and Station One Architects aimed to spruce up Peter Ewart's appear- ance. "We didn't change the exterior, which is tilt-up with steel elements, but we enacted subtle changes inside and made things more user friendly with additions such as non-gender wash- rooms," says van Dyk. "The interior consisting mainly of block construction is covered up to create a more modern finish. Also, millwork in classrooms is replaced where and if necessary." P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y L A N G L E Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T #3 5

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