De la Montagne Primary School
De la Montagne Primary School
2025
Educational
The new school De la Montagne in Saint‑Sauveur was developed to respond to strong demographic growth in the Laurentians region and an urgent need for new school spaces for the 2025 academic year.
The school accommodates 660 students in a modern, safe and functional learning environment that includes classroom “houses,” a gymnasium, a multipurpose room, daycare facilities and shared common spaces.
From the outset, the Centre de services scolaire des Laurentides sought to deliver a durable building that integrates harmoniously into its natural surroundings while meeting strict budgetary requirements, in a context marked by rising construction material costs.
Innovation and Sustainable Design
The building is divided into two main sections.
The first, dedicated to teaching spaces, is based on a classroom‑house concept using light‑frame wood construction. Each classroom house functions as a repetitive and autonomous structural unit, promoting rationalized design and construction. Wood serves both as a load‑bearing element and as framing for walls and partitions, reducing overall material quantities.
The interstitial spaces connecting the classroom houses incorporate mass timber, preserving a warm architectural expression and creating durable, welcoming common areas.
The second section of the building, constructed in steel, accommodates spaces requiring long spans, including the gymnasium and cafeteria. Structural walkways provide safe and fluid circulation between the different sections.
This design demonstrates how a budget constraint can be transformed into an opportunity for innovation, resulting in a durable, repeatable school model adapted to the current realities of the institutional sector.
gbi’s Mandate and Structural Approach
gbi was responsible for the structural and civil engineering components of the project and played a key role in the evolution of the structural concept. Initially designed with a predominantly mass‑timber structure, the project had to be re‑evaluated to address the significant increase in material costs.
Rather than opting for a conventional all‑steel structure, gbi and the design team developed an innovative hybrid solution, combining light‑frame wood construction and steel, optimized according to the building’s functional needs. This approach made it possible to preserve the desired environmental and architectural qualities while maintaining cost control.
Technical Challenges and Site Integration
Built on a steeply sloped site, the school required the design of retaining walls and terraced landscaping to ensure building stability, user safety and efficient circulation. Runoff water from the mountain is managed through drainage swales and retention basins, without increasing the load on existing municipal infrastructure.
Integrating mechanical and electrical systems within a predominantly wood structure also required close interdisciplinary coordination. Targeted structural solutions, including the selective use of timber deck panels, made it possible to optimize clear heights while effectively concealing building services.
Impacts and Added Value
De la Montagne Primary School generates significant social benefits for the Saint‑Sauveur community by providing a bright, safe and stimulating learning environment for students and staff. The classroom‑house concept supports well‑being, concentration and social interaction while offering flexible spatial organization.
From an economic standpoint, the hybrid structural approach developed by gbi allowed the project to remain within budget despite a challenging economic context.
The project also serves as a reference for the school sector, demonstrating the relevance of light‑frame wood construction for large‑scale institutional buildings. In this regard, a case study will be developed in collaboration with Cecobois to document the technical choices and promote knowledge sharing across the industry.
