The Ontario Construction Report – DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE OCR B5
New Hamilton Catholic elementary school unites
three communities in state-of-the art building
STAFF WRITER –
The Ontario Construction Report Special Feature
Hamilton’s new St. Ann Catholic Ele-
mentary School will unite three distinct
school communities in a state-of-the art
building. Collaborative Structures Ltd. (CSL) is
building the $9.6 million, 62,500 sq. ft.
school designed by Sam Esposto Architect
Inc. Following a school board trend, the
new school will replace three existing
schools, bringing the three formerly distinct
communities together under one roof.
Architect Sam Esposto says the new
school has been repositioned on the site of
the now-demolished original St. Ann school
to make better use of available playground
space and to bring the school closer to the
main street, following the trend to connect
schools with communities.
The school is sited between two
churches in a well-established neighbour-
hood. “In designing the school we wanted
to respect the history of the churches, one
of which is more than 100 years old,” Es-
posto said. “The school uses stone in simi-
lar colours to this church but in a modern
presentation so it doesn’t compete with the
historic architecture.”
The two-storey school has been de-
signed for 450 students and will include 16
regular classrooms, two spacious kinder-
garten classrooms designed beyond Min-
istry of Education requirements, a library,
as well as an elevator and accessibility
ramp. “The school also features an over-sized
6,500 sq. ft gymnasium with bleachers,
which the community will have access to,”
We are proud to be part of the
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board’s
St. Ann Elementary School Project.
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www.blockwall.ca Esposto said. “A kitchen off the gym will
be used for a school breakfast program and
will also be available for community use.”
The school includes a unique room that
Esposto says will be used for a Hamilton-
Wentworth District Catholic School Board
(HWDCSB) pilot program. “One class-
room is set up like a lecture hall and is fully
equipped for technology and wireless capa-
bility. This will support a unique trial assis-
tive technology program which will use
ipads and other such devices to support the
learning environment.”
The school also incorporates a daycare
with separate exterior access but full inte-
rior integration, with its own kitchen and
washroom facilities.
Esposto says hydro and sewer services
had to be upgraded to accommodate the
new school and soil remediation was re-
quired. Another site challenge involved
choosing a configuration to take advantage
of natural light. “The school is set in a T-
shape with one wing running east to west
and getting southern light. The other wing
runs north to south so gets morning light.”
Aluminum shades provide sun control
and ensure a steady stream of diffused light.
The school’s exterior features a large
cross, illuminated by a back glow, which
Esposto says reflects the school board’s
Catholic roots and community values.
“The exterior also uses a beautiful wood
composite panel. Inside we had fun with the
millwork and playful colourful accents to
reflect and appeal to the student popula-
tion,” he says.
The school is scheduled to open in early
2014. Esposto said the project will be com-
pleted using mostly local trades.
Congratulations to the whole team working
at the St. Ann Elementary School.
46 Kordun St.,
Hamilton ON L9B 2N2
Tel: 905-575-8458
1-800-365-1647 Fax: 905-575-8160
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