The design for the new Poplar Hill First Nation school in northern Ontario incorporates vivid exterior colours that reflect Poplar Hill’s active outdoor lifestyle. The blue metal cladding and warm brick compliment the colours in the community logo.
The 2,300 square metre K-9 school and will contain two Kindergarten Rooms, 5 Classrooms, Science Lab, Multi-Purpose Room, Cafeteria, Library, Computer Room, large Gymnasium and more.
A variety of window shapes at various heights create a playful pattern on the exterior of the building. These “dancing” windows also create an interesting play of light from the inside of the classrooms and other learning spaces. Natural light will be brought into the interior of the school at important areas.
Highly visible and inviting, a large entry welcomes students and visitors into the new school. Even before you enter the building, the exterior forecourt space is enlivened by adjacent basketball activity and casual bench seating along the sun-warmed brick exterior facade, providing places of repose and highly visible gathering spots for the ‘coming and going’ of before and after school activity.
Student ‘artwork’ is proudly displayed along the exterior brick facade - a sense of belonging arises within as you walk by. As you enter the front doors into the vestibule, students are afforded a place to drop off their outdoor boots. Once you pass through the vestibule, you immediately enter into the central open space with its high sloping ceiling, bright interior, warm colours and natural light. The Cafeteria is straight ahead, and the view to the forest and hilltop vista beyond, is right there in the background to captivate one’s imagination and connection to the natural outdoors.