LDH Secondary School

1. 2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture LDH Secondary School Ottawa, Ontario, Canada New Construction Project of Distinction Edward J. Cuhaci and Associates Architects Inc.

2. LDH Secondary School

3. Front Entrance Community Environment: Narrative The community’s involvement in this facility is a necessary component of the school’s success. This facility will be the final element to a ‘Campus’ style plan; its neighbors are an elementary school, an existing high school, and a City-owned sports park. The School Board requested a contemporary, performing arts theatre that could also be used by the community. The sharing of common facilities with the public includes the use of the quadruple gymnasium. These cultural and social public spaces can be secured and separated from the academic spaces afterregular school hours.

4. Sections Learning Environment: This 186,000 square foot High School offers a comprehensive program to approximately 1,400 students enrolled in grades seven to twelve. The Board requested a multidisciplinary facility that will provide students with essential academic programs as well as programs that focus on technology, physical education, and culinary and performing arts. The world web will become available to each student within the school via wireless networks. This dispersal of technology will transform any teaching room or group break-out area into technical research spaces. The culinary arts class will utilize some of the same facilities as the adjacent cafeteria, and the program will provide students with the skill sets needed for this distinct type of work. Theatre, Acoustic and Lighting Specialists were consulted for the design of a 500-seat, multi-purpose auditorium. The ‘thrust’ style stage will allow the actors and lecturers to engage with the audience more so than a traditional stage. Section at Atrium

5. Interior spaces Physical Environment: Full spectrum, natural light will fill a fifty-foot high atrium, which will be shared by two academic wings; this space will provide a visual connection among three floors of formal and informal areas. The Atrium, encompassing its four glazed bridges, will offer break-out areas for social interaction and present a transparency within the core of the building. A two-storey curtain wall in the library / media centre will allow diffused daylight by means of light shelves and sun shades. Along with low-E glazing and low-emitting materials, these sustainable design concepts shall offer a comfortable leaning space. Section at Library

6. Concepts Planning Process: The growth of this District, which has been steadily increasing over the past several years, has caused pressure from the local community to construct a comprehensive high school that addresses the issues of sustainability and security. The process of designing the high school included educational experts, from the district, who determined the requirements for each individual teaching space as well as the direction of future expansion. Building Envelope Specialists were consulted to determine how to maximize building energy performance, and discussions with Security Consultants aided the design with respect to the prevention of modern day threats.

7. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

8. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details