Southern Okanagan Secondary School Expansion

Southern Okanagan Secondary School Expansion

Southern Okanagan Secondary School Expansion

Rising from the Ashes

The replacement of the Southern Okanagan Secondary School began as an expansion and renovation to an existing secondary school, with an attached community-supported performing arts theatre. During construction of the expansion, just prior to completion, the existing historical wing and Venables Theatre was destroyed in a fire. After the fire, a new performing arts theatre and neighborhood learning center were included in the project.

Key features of the design include:

  • A circular multipurpose room constructed from glue-laminated beams, wood decking and concrete and wood columns that opens to a central courtyard and is the primary focal point for student gathering.
  • A new performing arts theatre that provides seating for 400 patrons in a tiered seating configuration.
  • A two-story main theatre lobby (similar to the multi-purpose room) that serves as a space for public gathering.
  • Provision of a geothermal heating system, solar photo voltaic cells and a wind turbine to support renewable energy use.
  • The use of water-efficient landscaping and storm water management to reduce water use.
Southern Okanagan Secondary School Expansion
Client
School District No. 53 (Okanagan-Similkameen)
Location

Oliver, BC
Canada

Size
New: 119,780 sf (11,132 m²) Renovation: 7,072 sf (657 m²)
Services

Awards

Wood Design Awards, Winner (2015)
Interior Beauty Design Category
Wood WORKS! British Columbia
Commercial Building Award (2014)
Excellence Award
Southern Interior Construction Association
Commercial Building Award (2014)
Judge’s Choice
Southern Interior Construction Association