The Doon community in Kitchener, Ontario, is a culturally diverse neighbourhood where young families escape from the city and settle into their forever homes. To serve the growing community, our team of architects has conceptualized an innovative elementary school design that reflects its needs.
The architecture aims to welcome the community with natural materials, reflecting the surrounding woods and the urban forest within the site. The design respects the area’s Indigenous history and values, focusing on reconciliation and decolonization. In alignment with this, our team includes Smoke Architecture, a female-led Indigenous architectural firm.
Emphasizing circular and curved forms that symbolize unity and inclusivity, the design incorporates ceremonial spaces, outdoor classrooms, and natural materials like wood and stone. A circular atrium draws inspiration from indigenous values and is designed as the school’s primary gathering space at the front of the building. Its circular form is a powerful statement symbolizing each person is of equal value.
The atrium stretches upward towards a large skylight ceiling and seamlessly integrates natural elements, weaving the outdoors into the indoor space. An enchanting living green wall takes center stage as an opportunity for imaginative exploration and land-based knowledge sharing. The indoors extend outside with access to a green roof above for enriched learning opportunities.
The building’s orientation pays homage to traditions of transition. The main entrance, childcare, and ground floor kindergarten rooms are located on the site’s east side to symbolize new beginnings. They are arranged in a clockwise design to signify moving into new chapters in life.
Elements of inclusive design drive our design decision at all scales. Classrooms are reimagined as a space for collaboration with erasable surfaces and flexible furniture. Washroom and changeroom facilities welcome all genders, and signage incorporates graphic symbols and braille, making it easy for everyone to read. Additionally, natural colours, textures, and materials are selected for the interior finishes to provide a playful environment, and light levels are carefully calibrated to support individuals with visual impairments.
Outdoors, neighbourhood residents will enjoy learning spaces, sports fields, and accessible playground areas, providing a rich community gathering space.