The FACE School’s heritage building will be completely renovated to create an enriching learning environment for the school community. This very large-scale project is scheduled to start in 2025.
This important operation has required a robust needs analysis in terms of surface area and spaces. This planning carried out by different professionals will therefore ensure that the building has enough space for the instructional program in what are called “block plans.”
Block plans show the layout of the site to ensure that all necessary spaces “fit” into the building. This is why block plans are part of the pre-planning design phase and are always preliminary.
The plans and specifications that guide the building’s reorganization will continue to be refined over the coming months. Users of the school will be asked to help develop the project through IDP workshops.
Hubs
The concept for the block plans below was based on the idea of grouping rooms into different hubs (culture, sports and food) to foster collaboration among school users while enhancing everyone’s sense of belonging as well as their safety and ability to socialize.
The proposed redesign also aims to create functional, effective, and flexible teaching and transition spaces and to improve the Fine Arts spaces and the outdoor courtyards.
Overview of the block plans
The FACE building has 4 above-ground levels and 2 basement levels.
The culture hub will include the “black box” drama room, technical performing-arts workshops, and the theatre room.
The learning hub (library) will be divided into two areas: one for primary students and one for secondary students. The secondary learning hub will also include a creative lab.
The sports hub will be divided into two sectors. The boiler room area will be converted to accommodate a double gymnasium, while the single gyms will stay in their current location. Primary and secondary students will have separate locker rooms.
The gym roofs will be redesigned to become outdoor spaces. This will double the available outdoor space per student to a ratio of 4.2 square metres per student.
The food hub will be divided into 3 areas near the gyms. Two of these areas will be connected to the courtyard called the “Enchanted Forest.”
Level -1 (Basement 2)
- Electromechanical services
- Storage rooms
- Double gym
Level 0 (Basement 1)
- Learning hub (secondary)
- Creative lab
- Dance rooms
- Set and costume workshops
- Theatre room
- Black box
- Two single gyms
- Locker rooms (secondary)
- Cafeteria
- Dining rooms
- Kitchen and food services
Level 1 (Ground floor)
- Preschool classes
- Music rooms
- Learning hub (primary)
- Auditorium
- Foyer
- Space for the artist in residence
- Administrative rooms
Level 2
- Primary general education classes
- Music rooms
- Staff lounge
- Locker rooms (primary)
Level 3
- Primary general education classes
- Secondary general education classes
- Drama rooms
- Art rooms
Level 4
- Secondary general education classes
- Drama rooms
- Art rooms
- Dance hall
- Vocal music rooms
- Science labs
- Meeting space
Outdoor layout and design
- Courtyard created on the roof of the double gym (former boiler room)
- Courtyard created on the roof of the single gyms
- Front courtyard
- Enchanted Forest courtyard
Full presentation of the block plans
To view the full presentation by STGM architect Anne Vallières (only available in French), click here.
