MINNEKHADA MIDDLE SCHOOL

The 600 student capacity middle school incorporates 21st century learning were customized to the School District staff, administrators and students after an extensive series of design collaborations. The spatial configuration focuses on providing break-out flexible collaborative areas in the core of the building rather than dividing the school into smaller learning pods. Through our working groups with educators the preference was to have the flexibility to open classrooms onto the main commons but still allow the option for teachers to close off classrooms when necessary Students benefit from a variety of classroom spaces as well as exploration spaces for information technology, fine and performing arts, home arts, and technical education. The school features Neighbourhood Learning Centre spaces including a gym that contains a full-size basketball court and a stage connecting to the multi-purpose room.

The form and ‘Parti’ of the building is an upward thrust or breaking through motion similar to a sprout breaking through the soil exemplary of the middle school age group. The rooflines thrust upward at various angles towards the core of the school to express this. Green features include energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems, water efficient plumbing fixtures, and water efficient landscaping.