1st Place, Interior
When representatives of Kingsway College School (KCS) decided to expand to include grades nine through 12, Architecture Counsel Inc. was engaged to create an ambitious, phased master plan that would reflect the school’s unique vision and ambition. The first phase, which comprised the fit-out of 40,000 square feet to accommodate grades nine and 10, was completed in September 2022; the second phase now is underway.
The new senior school for Kingsway College School creates a new paradigm for high-school students and breaks with conventional school architecture in several unique ways. Firstly, the school uses the city as its laboratory and campus. In contrast to a traditional high-school model where most, if not all, teaching and learning activities are expected to take place within the walls of the school, KCS blurs the distinction between its facilities and the city. It aims to forge partnerships with other institutions to expand student opportunities by using arts, athletics and media- based spaces at clubs, organizations and other educational facilities. This progressive approach to learning offsite adds a depth of experience and a sense of enduring learning not typically available to high-school students and is intended to inspire students to become life-long learners.
Secondly, KCS is the only independent high school in Toronto to occupy space within an existing high-rise building (in this case, a 66-story residential tower). With Toronto’s continued population growth and densification, available land is becoming increasingly scarce. Architects are challenged to rethink the traditional North American secondary-school typology (a low-rise horizontal model on an unoccupied site with a sports field and parking lot). Globally, it has become almost commonplace to make the most of existing built space by inserting a school within a vertical structure. In Toronto, this concept is only recently entering public imagination. The choice to capitalize on existing infrastructure is reflective of KCS’ ethos, which focuses on innovation, good citizenship and environmental stewardship.
INTERIOR SELECTIONS WELCOME STUDENTS
The interior achieves a refined level of design in terms of finish selection, treatments and furnishings. Curved glass, wood floors, wood ceilings and wood-veneered walls were used to convey a timeless, elegant aesthetic not typically found in high schools. These components underwent a rigorous testing and approval process to assure the client they would be durable, long-lasting and able to withstand the daily rigors of school life.
The school occupies the podium level of the high-rise residential tower and is accessed on the second level. Upon entering the grand, double-height reception area, visitors immediately feel
as though they are in a distinctive space. Greeted by an abundance of natural light, with an elegant feature stair anchoring the reception area, the effect is one of great spatial release. The generous width of the stair organizes the space and adds drama to the entry sequence; its ample dimensions allow the stair to function as one of the many social spaces where students can gather to talk and collaborate. The stair also serves as a podium/ lectern for speakers.
To further animate the entry space, views are provided into the Market Place, the heart of the school where students, staff, and learning partners can meet, collaborate, enjoy lunch, present, perform, create and even sell products via entrepreneurial ventures. Views also are available into the food kiosk, art studio, glazed meeting rooms, classrooms and breakout spaces, as well as of the developing cityscape and Lake Ontario.
CHALLENGES
To transform this raw commercial space into an innovative learning environment, the Architecture Counsel design team faced many hurdles, typical of working with existing building systems and infrastructure. The mechanical and electrical systems were suitable for commercial use but not adequate for a school. The team had to find the space to design and install a new air-handling system and bring in fresh makeup air to ensure code compliance with this occupancy type. Washrooms had to be placed closer to existing sanitary lines. Careful consideration was paid to how interventions would affect adjacent commercial and residential units.
The school occupies levels 2 and 3 (podium) of the condominium, and construction materials, oversized equipment, structural steel members, etc., had to be brought in during working hours without the benefit of a loading dock, which posed logistical challenges. As an example, to install the large connecting staircase in the main reception, it was necessary to remove sections of the existing curtainwall. The team worked with the base building structural engineer to open the floor to create the dramatic double-height lobby.
Program adjacencies were carefully assessed in relation to student safety, privacy and acoustics. Flooring, insulation, ceiling treatments and strategic partitions were installed to ensure noise did not migrate to other spaces. In the second-floor fitness center, it was important to mitigate percussive noise caused by gymnasium equipment.
Repurposing space within an occupied condominium required the team to work closely with the KCS board of directors and condominium board to ensure residents remained undisturbed and the construction process was in compliance with the condominium’s rules and regulations.
THE FUTURE OF LEARNING
The new senior school has been widely embraced by KCS students, staff and educators. Although originally slated for use by a major grocery chain, through innovative design and careful configuration of spaces, Architecture Counsel was able to transform the space to appear purpose-built. Hopefully, other developers and school boards will look to KCS as a prototype for future schools and pave the way for a more sustainable future for our city.
PHOTOS: Scott Norsworthy unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
METAMORPHOSIS AWARD WINNER and ARCHITECT: Architecture
Counsel Inc.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Jablonsky Ast and Partners
MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: Crossey Engineering
CODE CONSULTANT: Arencon
ACOUSTICS: Thornton Tomasetti
SIGNAGE: Andrew McTavish Design
Materials
EPOXYFLOORING: SikafloorMorritex Broadcast System from Sika Canada
RUBBER FLOORING: Geniemat Fit70, Fusion Series, Ocean Blue, from Pliteq
LUXURY VINYL: #2112 Natural Oak from True North Luxury Vinyl
STAIR FLOORING: White Oak with Custom Color by Barwood Flooring
WALL PANELS: White Oak Veneer with Custom Color/Finish by Woodlogix Interior
WOOD ACOUSTICAL CEILING: Geometrik
INTERIOR LIGHTING: LD4B, Neo-Ray and Metalux from Eaton; Beam 4 Series from Axis Lighting;
S ST Series from Pioneer Lighting; Orex from Kelvix; Pop Core Square 44 LED from Lumenwerx; IYO Small and Large Series from Ferro Light; C4 Cylinder Calculite from Signify; TT Top Tier from Cooper Lighting; and Basik and Studio Series from Sistemalux