goldstone park elementary school

Goldstone Park Elementary School is based upon the use of a modified repeat design in order to achieve an accelerated completion date. Modifications were undertaken to update the layout to Ministry of Education standards, Neighborhood Learning Center requirements and site specific requirements.

The finalized design resulted in several distinctive blocks: 2-storey classroom wing with twenty standard-size classrooms, five kindergarten, a one-storey centralized administration, a staff and Learning Commons core and a gymnasium/multipurpose wing with space allocated for community use. Significant design features include the thinking extensive use of wooden structure throughout the library and administration area, as well as in two raised clerestories over the second floor corridor. A two-storey classroom wing utilizing large windows in tilt-up concrete construction will provide the staff and students with appealing and durable surroundings for the long term.

A sloping site required the construction of a lock block retaining wall along the existing parking lot to the south of the property which was utilized as a play-back and security barrier for the activity areas. A significant conifer tree was also left intact on the site by modifying the footprint of the 2-storey classroom wing to provide a shaded assembly area directly adjacent to the west classroom block entrance.

Sustainable building initiatives were used throughout the project targeting shadow LEED Gold design and construction practices. The site plan was specifically designed to provide minimal impact to the adjacent fish bearing stream while providing continued access through this riparian zone to the adjacent high school play fields.