Jardins-des-Patriotes Elementary School

A two-storey wing of classrooms extends on either side of a service core that houses the public and community functions: administrative spaces, a gymnasium, a multifunctional room and a library.

The L-shaped layout frames the schoolyard, which faces due south toward a park and a natural wooded area. A landscape architect developed a plan for plantings and the integration of vegetative features as a way to mitigate the heat-island effects of the yard’s asphalted portion and the excessive heat gains along the south facade. This initiative extends to the parking area, where green islands including trees have been incorporated. Around the school’s perimeter, surplus soil from excavation was used to create ridges of earth incorporating greenery. Travel to the school by bike is encouraged through the integration of a bike path and bike racks. A swath of newly planted saplings was introduced between the school lot and the surrounding houses as a means of preserving the privacy of residents.