Edmonton Christian Schools – Expansion Project

Additional Info

Award Winner : Alta-Fab Structures Ltd.

Architectural Excellence : Faced with a near-immediate need for additional classroom space, Edmonton Christian Schools wanted an option that felt permanent and could be built under tight timelines. Two elementary school classrooms were constructed, and were designed with a future second storey expansion in mind. The units are connected to the main school, so materials including linoleum, lockers, and cabinets were carefully selected to match the existing structure and design. Designed to withstand heavy snow loads due to drifting from the existing building, the units were constructed with steel beams, which allowed for the open-concept interior requested. Featuring custom, in-house cabinetry, and built-in teacher’s desks, the units were designed to efficiently use space. Attractive birch doors with glass side panels welcome students to the modern classrooms, while the large, open connection from the units to the permanent school structure ensures that movement between the two feels like a natural transition.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : For this project, Alta-Fab partnered with Alfa Construction, the original contractor for the school’s permanent structure. Alfa Construction’s extensive knowledge of the site allowed Alta-Fab to effectively mitigate any issues in putting in the portables, and create well-designed modular additions to the school. The materials used in the portables have been built to last to withstand the needs of the Edmonton climate. In order to withstand the snow load coming off of the existing school structure, steel beams were used in the unit construction. Alta-Fab also constructed the classrooms with future growth in mind, as a second storey can be added to meet rapid and unexpected growth in registration numbers.

Occupied Date : 9/28/2015

Production Start Date : 7/16/2015

Project Location City : Edmonton

Project Location State Name : Alberta

Technical Innovation : Due to an unforeseen surge in registration numbers at the school, the project was run under a very tight deadline. Manufacturing began in July, with installation scheduled in late August. Designed to look and feel like part of the permanent facility, the portable classrooms blend well with the pre-existing aesthetic of the school. During one family event at the school, staff were pleased to hear a retired teacher comment that these classrooms were “not like the portables I taught in and used.” Thanks to the use of matching materials, and with utilities tied to the permanent school structure, students feel that this is an integrated expansion of the school, rather than a temporary addition dropped into the schoolyard. The unit design also allows for more effective expansion in the future, as the school will now be able to build up, rather than out, using less of the valuable schoolyard space while still meeting increased registration demands.

Total Square Feet : 2160