Description:
The BlueShore Financial Environmental Learning Centre (ELC) is an 840 sq. m (9000 sq. feet) sustainably designed “tree house”. It’s raised floor and forest setting elevates you to the magic of the forest canopy. This unique “green-built” centre boasts sweeping forest views and large reclaimed timber beams creating a dramatic venue to host schools, conferences, workshops, meetings, banquets and receptions. [1]
“ELC is a welcoming space featuring a large reception and dining area; multipurpose classrooms; meeting, event and exhibit spaces; and an outdoor amphitheater… A natural place for learning and creative inspiration.” [2]
“…the North Vancouver Outdoor School [NVOS] has offered environmental education programs on behalf of School District 44 for more than 40 years (…) wading alongside spawning salmon, identifying and tasting wild berries, tending to farm animals, observing eagles or immersing themselves in a multitude of other outdoor learning experiences.”
“…wading alongside spawning salmon, identifying and tasting wild berries, tending to farm animals, observing eagles or immersing themselves in a multitude of other outdoor learning experiences.”
“wading alongside spawning salmon, identifying and tasting wild berries, tending to farm animals, observing eagles or immersing themselves in a multitude of other outdoor learning experiences.” [3]
The building itself will act as an educational too and demonstration facility, integral to the educational programming of the Outdoor School. The project’s dependence on the outside source of energy and its impact on the environment are minimized to uphold the philosophical principles of the school, which aims for LEED Platinum. [4]
Awards
2015 Canadian Wood Council Red Cedar Award
2013 Wood Design & Building Award – Citation
2013 Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia – Merit
2012 Holcim Award of Acknowledgement for Sustainable Construction
2012 Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence – Merit
References
[1] Cheakamus Center. “LEED® Platinum BlueShore Environmental Learning Centre.” Flickr. Yahoo! Accessed January 3, 2021. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127060938@N06/albums/72157646334434500/.
[2] “LEED® Platinum BlueShore Environmental Learning Centre.” RSS. Accessed January 3, 2021. https://www.cheakamuscentre.ca/about-us/elc.
[3] SABMag. “The BlueShore Financial Environmental Learning Centre.” SABMag, August 15, 2019. https://sabmagazine.com/the-blueshore-financial-environmental-learning-centre/.
[4] Anonymous. “Environmental Learning Center.” Canadian Architect 56, no. 12, December 2011.
Additional Information
Hemsworth Architecture. “Cheakamus Centre Brackendale.” hemsworth architecture, August 31, 2012. https://hemswortharchitecture.com/post/30290343335/cheakamus-centre-brackendale-bc-2012-mcfarland.
Project Title: BlueShore Financial Environmental Learning Centre
Artists: McFarland Marceau Architects Ltd
Year: 2012
Place: Brackendale, BC
Architecture, BC, British Columbia, Completed Projects, Education, LEED, Outdoor, University, Winner