Grande-Hermine Elementary School
- LocationQuébec (Québec)
- ClientCapitale School Service Centre
- year2008
- TeamABCP + Bisson associés
- CertificationLEED Certified
- Awards and distinctions
· OAQ Vision Jeunesse Excellence Award
- PHOTOPaul Dionne and Stéphane Groleau
Québec's first LEED-certified elementary school.
As the first LEED-certified elementary school in Québec, Grande-Hermine Elementary School marked a turning point in the design of educational facilities across the province. Located in the heart of Vieux-Limoilou, the project demonstrates how sustainable architecture can enrich students' daily lives while integrating harmoniously into the surrounding urban fabric.
The school accommodates 350 students within a three-storey building that includes 18 classrooms, a double gymnasium, a library, a daycare centre, multipurpose rooms, and community spaces. The layout is organized around a spacious central atrium that encourages interaction, group activities, and strong connections to the schoolyard. Three clearly articulated building volumes define the façade, making the program easy to understand while responding to the scale and character of the neighbourhood. Generously opened to both the outdoors and the central hall, the library serves as one of the project's defining architectural features, with its sculptural volume marking the school's main entrance.
From the earliest stages of design, the project embraced sustainable development principles at every scale. The deconstruction of the existing school, a green roof, locally sourced and low-VOC materials, a high-performance building envelope, optimized natural daylighting, and responsible water and waste management strategies all contribute to reducing the building's environmental footprint while enhancing occupant comfort. Recipient of the OAQVision Jeunesse Excellence Award, Grande-Hermine Elementary School remains a benchmark for sustainable school architecture and a pioneering project in the evolution of educational facilities in Québec.
