Babine Elementary- Secondary School
Babine School is part of School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) and is located in Granisle BC, Canada. BESS was built in 1965, with an operating capacity of 400 students and large addition completed in 1972. As the only school in the village of Granisle, it also serves as a community hall.
The preferred option identified in the Project Definition Report (PDR) comprised the demolition of 60% of the school and construction of a new section composed of 5 modular units, combined with minor renovation of the retained portion of the building to address major physical and functional deficiencies. The budget, requirement to remain operational during construction, and complexity of construction and scheduling demanded a multi-phase project which was completed over four stages.
The design has a community kitchen at the heart of the school and offers a daily meal program to support their students. The classrooms or learning studios are clustered around a large day-lit collaboration area, which on the periphery has two breakout lofts and another glass-enclosed breakout room for quiet small group work.
The students have use of a Da Vinci Studio, a multi-purpose and interdisciplinary space with several sinks, extra storage, and exterior garage door access, in which they can invent, create, discover and build.
The elementary learning studio has an adjacent breakout room and a much-loved “cave” that is cozy and carpeted, with a peek-a-boo window.
Project Stats
- Client: School District No. 91, Nechako Lakes
- Location: Granisle, BC
- Size: 4,300 sq.m.
- Project Type: Seismic Upgrade, Renovation+Addition
- Project Delivery: Construction Management
Their vision of the physical environment to support academic achievement has provided us the opportunity to explore 21st century learning methods. Their knowledge and practical experience with the advances in educational design further enhance the goals and objectives of our school district’s education plan. For this reason, KMBR is considered an integral part of our school-based team."
Tim Bancroft Manager of Facilities School District No. 91 - Nechako Lakes