Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/175815
RENDERINGS COURTESY HILLFIELD STRATHALLAN COLLEGE Michael G. DeGroote Senior School and College Commons – Hillfield Strathallan College by Christine Peets hen the high school students at Hill ield Strathallan College (HSC) returned for this school year, they came back to more than just new learning opportunities. The students moved into a new student-centred facility, the Michael G. DeGroote Senior School, which meant that all of the classrooms and labs were now located in one place rather than being spread across the campus. The original buildings on this campus were built in the early 1960s with additions made in the 1970s. "The new state-of-the-art facility provides more of a postsecondary school feel where teaching and learning can happen outside of the traditional classrooms and labs, promoting active learning and a broad educational experience," says Bob Neibert, principal of the Senior School. In the spring of 2005, HSC began developing a campus Master Plan to address its facility renewal needs over the coming decade. Construction of the Senior School began in May 2011 with the 90,000-square-foot building substantially completed in August 2012 and ready for occupancy by September. HSC is comprised of four schools, known as 'centres of excellence.' In addition to the Senior School, there is a Montessori School, a Junior School and a Middle School. Students may enter HSC as young as two-and-a-half years old and then move through to their high school years. They come from several communities from the Hamilton area including Dunville, Mississauga and Cambridge, Ontario. "We have probably the largest private school bus program with 27 buses coming to our school every day," Neibert says. "With the addition of the Senior School, all four schools are now joined together in a horseshoe creating a Green Commons enhancing safety and security through environmental design." The $31-million Senior School "revolves around the green space of the more intimate Senior School Quadrangle. This interior-outdoor room brings extensive natural light into the core of building, i.e. centrally located classrooms, Learning Commons and Student Commons," says Adrienne Tam, LEED AP with Moriyama & Teshima Architects. "The Student Commons/Learning Commons re lect the HSC mission to nurture the whole child. Through these areas, students are provided with active social space as well as an environment for collaborative learning, exploration and discovery." With the plan to have the school space revolve around the W Student Quadrangle, landscaping became an important component of the design. "The Quad is richly planted with river birch, serviceberry and eastern redbud which provides an orientating connection to the exterior environment from all areas in the building," Tam says. Going in from the Quad, there is considerable attention paid to a "higher level of inishes," says Jim Modesto, project manager for general contractor Cooper Construction Limited. There is custom millwork, polished aggregate, rich enduring dark ironspot brick and natural Niagara Escarpment limestone accents throughout the building. These contrast against the curtain wall, metal panels and sunshades, and complement the sustainable items incorporated into the design. "There was a desire from the school community to adopt best design practice and all efforts have been made to incorporate sustainable items," Tam says. "Some elements include: low- low water ixtures, low-E glazed curtain wall, perimeter light sensors, exterior sun control louvers and durable, low-maintenance interior materials. The project is designed to LEED Silver levels even though it will not be proceeding through the LEED certi ication process." Energy ef iciency was taken into consideration with the overall electrical design. "We installed occupancy sensors in many areas of the school including washrooms, of ices, store rooms and other areas that are not required to be lit throughout the entire day," says Carl Wagstaff from the MMM Group Limited. "LED accent lights were introduced at the entrances to classrooms and in the main elevator lobby. The other light ixtures are comprised of 28W T8 luorescent and compact luorescent sources, so they are energy ef icient." Overall, Wagstaff says this was a very interesting project to work on. "The tie-ins to the existing building systems, and coordination with the school's extensive audiovisual system presented some challenges, but nothing that could not be overcome." The Senior School and College Commons was the irst phase of redevelopment. An athletic complex featuring a triple gymnasium is planned for the future. The date for the next construction phase hasn't been set yet, according to Niebert. The steel structure and roo ing assembly of the future gymnasium and Learning Commons have been designed to accommodate a green roof as well as a photovoltaic installation, Tam says. The Scholars Way and Athletes Way also make Michael G. DeGroote Senior School and College Commons – Hillfield Strathallan College p.76-77Michael G. DeGroote.indd 77 this a unique school. "Scholars Way is the main public artery connected to the central interior space of the Learning Commons and Student Commons," says Tam. "Large display cases line the side of the corridor to exhibit exemplary student work as well providing wall space dedicated to donor recognition. Similarly, Athletes Way is a gallery to highlight outstanding athletic achievements and also signi icant donors." What also sets this school apart, says Neibert, is that "we are using spaces differently for teaching and learning. One-third of the building is not regular classroom space. Teaching and learning does not have to happen in con ines of classroom and labs. Those opportunities were not available to us in the campus set-up we had. Now we can offer so much more – not only to our senior students but to all of the students." ■ LOCATION 299 Fennell Avenue West Hamilton, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Hillfield Strathallan College ARCHITECT Moriyama & Teshima Architects GENERAL CONTRACTOR Cooper Construction Limited STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Blackwell Bowick Partnership Ltd. MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT MMM Group Limited TOTAL PROJECT AREA 90,000 square feet TOTAL PROJECT COST $31 million OCTOBER 2012 /77 9/11/12 12:14 PM