Louis-Laberge School
Louis-Laberge School
2018
Educational
Construite au cœur d’un secteur résidentiel en plein développement, l’école primaire Louis-Laberge a été conçue afin d’offrir un environnement d’apprentissage moderne, performant et durable, répondant aux besoins du Centre de services scolaire des Affluents.
Dans le cadre de ce projet, gbi a réalisé les services professionnels en mécanique, chauffage, géothermie, ventilation, électricité, éclairage, développement durable et efficacité énergétique.
Le projet se distinguait par plusieurs défis techniques majeurs, notamment l’absence d’alimentation électrique triphasée à proximité du site et l’implantation du bâtiment dans un parc municipal existant. L’équipe de gbi a travaillé en étroite collaboration avec les différents intervenants afin d’assurer une intégration harmonieuse du bâtiment et de ses infrastructures.
A design focused on energy performance
gbi’s expertise in geothermal systems and energy efficiency played a central role in the building’s design.
Detailed energy simulations and specialized modeling were used to optimize the geothermal field and reduce the number of required wells, thereby minimizing the impact on existing municipal infrastructure.
Thanks to the implemented solutions, the building’s energy performance is estimated to be 39% higher than the requirements of the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings. The building’s energy consumption is approximately 0.30 GJ/m².
Among the sustainable strategies integrated into the project:
- Installation of CO₂ sensors in the ventilation systems to automatically adjust fresh air supply based on actual occupancy levels in the spaces
- Integration of motion detectors to reduce ventilation, lighting, and temperature setpoints in unoccupied areas
- Implementation of a program aligned with the potable water conservation action plan
- Completion of life cycle and value analyses to optimize technical and economic decision-making
Technical challenges addressed with ingenuity
The project involved several significant technical challenges, beginning with the building’s electrical power supply.
As no 600-volt three-phase network was available within a one-kilometre radius, gbi worked closely with Hydro-Québec to extend the network to the school site. This initiative, initiated nearly one year before the start of construction, helped ensure the project schedule was maintained.
The school’s location within a municipal park also represented a major challenge. The design team optimized the configuration of the geothermal systems to reduce the building’s footprint and preserve existing recreational infrastructure.
Through close monitoring, numerous coordination meetings, and a sustained on-site presence, the gbi team helped maintain construction progress and support the school’s opening as scheduled.
A sustainable and adaptable learning environment
This project also reflects gbi’s expertise in the design of sustainable and adaptable educational facilities.
Conceived in accordance with sustainable development principles and the guidelines of the Ministry of Education’s Facility Planning Guide, Louis-Laberge Elementary School focuses on modern, high-performance environments tailored to the needs of communities.
Delivered using BIM and inspired by several LEED certification principles, the project is based on a collaborative approach that promotes innovation, high-quality indoor environments, and energy optimization for the benefit of students, school staff, and the broader community.
