Cardinal-Roy High School
- LocationQuébec (Québec)
- ClientCentre de services scolaire de la Capitale
- year2023
- TeamABCP architecture + Régis Côté
- PHOTOStéphane Groleau
An expansion that opens onto the river.
Located between Parc Victoria and the Saint-Charles River, the expansion of Cardinal-Roy High School redefines the school's identity by placing inclusion, interaction, and well-being at the forefront of its design. Renowned for its sports, arts, and academic programs, the school has evolved into a vibrant learning environment where diverse student communities come together in bright, flexible, and welcoming spaces.
The expansion accommodates 425 additional students and includes fifteen classrooms and laboratories, a learning and innovation commons, teacher workspaces, administrative offices, and a variety of social and collaborative areas. Designed as a seamless extension of the existing building, the new three-storey volume fronts the Saint-Charles River linear park, transforming what was once a service area into an active façade that opens onto the landscape. This strategic siting creates a meaningful dialogue between the school and the public realm while introducing sheltered, landscaped outdoor spaces that students can fully enjoy and make their own.
The project respectfully builds upon the functionalist architecture of the original 1960s school, recognized for its clean massing and modular precast concrete façades. The addition reinterprets this architectural language through a contemporary envelope articulated with rhythm and depth. Inside, circulation spaces become vibrant environments for learning and social interaction. Built-in seating, collaborative zones, an inhabited gallery, and a generous seating staircase support an open pedagogical approach where creativity, communication, and collaboration are part of everyday school life. Abundant natural daylight, views toward the mature trees and the Saint-Charles River, and a rich variety of spatial experiences contribute to making Cardinal-Roy High School an inclusive, high-performing school deeply connected to its neighbourhood.
similar projects
