Good school design responds to today while making room for tomorrow.
When WalterFedy designed the original St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School in 2015, future expansion was anticipated from the outset. Infrastructure was planned to accommodate eventual growth, creating a foundation that would make a future addition more seamless.
That foresight became especially valuable when the school was ready to expand. The new second-floor addition introduces six classrooms, along with a staff lounge, office and meeting room, custodial and storage spaces, and new washrooms, including a universal washroom. Four classrooms are positioned above the existing administration area, while two align with the existing classroom pod, allowing the addition to follow the school’s established organization and circulation.
While the original design anticipated growth, it could not anticipate how building standards would evolve. By the time the addition moved forward, changes to the Ontario Building Code required the new construction to meet updated performance requirements, including higher insulation values for the building envelope. Walls, glazing, roofs, and related assemblies were therefore designed to current standards while integrating with the existing building.
Adding a second storey also required careful coordination across the school. New stairs, accessible routes, fire and life-safety systems, and mechanical and electrical infrastructure were integrated into the existing facility, while grading and drainage were addressed where the footprint changed. Finishes and millwork followed Durham Catholic District School Board standards, helping create continuity between the original school and its new spaces.
The project demonstrates the long-term value of designing for adaptability. The original building could not predict every future requirement, but by planning for expansion early, WalterFedy created the flexibility to accommodate change more efficiently when the school was ready to grow.