Garden Avenue Public School Addition
Additional Info
Award Winner : NRB Modular Solutions
Architectural Excellence : Rather than matching the new with the old, this 3 classroom addition characterizes a Kindergarten by accentuating the exterior appearance with the three primary colors often associated with kids and learning. The exterior cladding is bright blue prefinished corrugated steel and the red doors and yellow canopies complete the primary color trio. A white perimeter band is a system of architectural aluminum panels, offering a visual relationship to the school. Large windows wrap around 2 walls of the end classrooms, and the center classroom has an additional skylight to promote healthy daylight for learning when needed, and the chain operated roller shades can block out the sun or provide diffused light for nap time. The interior is mold resistant drywall painted in light, neutral colors. Each classroom has durable birch millwork for cubbies, closets, shelves and cabinets above and below the stainless steel sink. Classrooms each have separate entrances for access to the playground.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : Building off site allowed construction of the classroom addition to begin before school was out for the year without affecting the occupied school. The foundations were installed and the modules placed before school opening, so no major construction activity was occurring on site once school opened for the new year. The selection of exterior finishes for this addition offered cost efficiencies that may not have been available had the owner wanted the identical exteriors of the school building. This particular module layout as well, allowed the complete installation of all millwork, fixtures and finishes, with only one module split at the center of the room which was finished on site so no modular splits were apparent. The building meets the new Ontario Building Code Energy requirements for improved performance which requires that it “exceed by not less than 25%” the energy requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings, 1997 so cost of energy will be less.
Occupied Date : 10/7/2013
Production Start Date : 5/27/2013
Project Location City : Toronto
Project Location State Name : Ontario
Technical Innovation : Transportation height restrictions are always difficult, but more so in the tight urban areas of a major city where often delivering at night is the only option. Maximizing interior ceiling heights and clear spans, while minimizing overall exterior load heights, is a challenge addressed with our unique steel designs and can be accomplished by concealing bearing points within walls to reduce roof beam depth. Moving cavity batt insulation out of the ceiling and applying rigid insulation to the top of the roof deck not only provides a better continuous thermal barrier for energy savings, but it provides more open ceiling spaces to run ductwork, conduit and cables through. Sloping structural steel for roof drainage rather than using tapered insulation on top of the roof helps keep our assemblies tighter and more dimensionally efficient for transport. Steel used in construction provides more than 25% recycled content. All paints and adhesives are low to no VOC.
Total Square Feet : 4128