Grande-Île Elementary School
Grande-Île Elementary School
2026
Educational
Grande-Île Elementary School is part of a new generation of educational facilities designed to promote student well-being, learning, and success. Spanning more than 6,100 m² over two storeys, this new learning environment will welcome more than 500 students starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
Designed in accordance with the Québec Ministry of Education’s guidelines, the school incorporates an eco-responsible approach focused on natural light, connections to the outdoors, accessible common areas, and landscaped green spaces. A geothermal system combined with a thermal energy storage unit also helps reduce the building’s environmental footprint.
A Modern and Sustainable Learning Environment
The building includes six kindergarten classrooms, eighteen regular classrooms, a double gymnasium, dedicated visual arts and music rooms, a motor skills room, a cafeteria, a teaching kitchen, and several collaborative spaces for students and staff.
gbi provided structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineering services. The work included the design of a two-storey structural steel frame supported by conventional foundations, the development of a bus drop-off area and stormwater retention basin, as well as the design of the geothermal system and the completion of energy simulations.
Technical Solutions Focused on Performance
From a technical standpoint, the design optimized the building’s structural performance through the use of reinforced gypsum partitions, eliminating the gravity and seismic loads typically associated with concrete masonry walls. The project also incorporates a geothermal system paired with a thermal energy storage unit, helping reduce energy consumption and improve overall building efficiency.
A Distinctive Architectural Signature
The school’s architecture is centred around a large two-storey open atrium, creating a bright, welcoming central space that encourages interaction and collaboration. This vertical opening represented a significant structural challenge, as did the integration of collaborative spaces distributed throughout the building at various levels.
The school’s architectural identity is highlighted by an impressive 3.6-metre cantilever extending above the main entrance. To preserve the visual quality of the interior spaces while meeting fire safety requirements, the exposed steel columns were filled with concrete to provide the necessary fire protection.
