Bayview Elementary School

LMDG provided building code services for this Vancouver-based elementary school featuring a high-performance building envelope and mass timber structure, designed to sustain the seismic forces in a region prone to earthquakes.

Bayview Elementary School‘s mass timber structure delivers a 21st-century design in step with the needs of today’s modern schools—and makes for an efficient floor plan on a compact site. The exterior and structural walls, floors, and roof use cross-laminated timber (CLT) complemented by glue-laminated (glulam) columns and beams.

As part of the Province of British Columbia’s major seismic upgrades to schools, the CLT system serves double duty as both gravity and shear walls, to resist the high seismic forces of the region. For the gymnasium and multipurpose room, a composite double-T design combines CLT with glulam beams to form long-spanning panels.

The facility includes large open spaces spanning two classrooms and accommodating flexible teaching alcoves—and an open concept library offers views to the exterior. The new two-storey school will accommodate 365 students, with a preschool, two kindergarten classrooms, and another 13 classrooms for grades one through seven. 

The lower level will house administrative offices, classrooms, two multipurpose rooms, and a large gymnasium, while the upper level will contain more classrooms and the library. 

The project incorporates sustainable design features including locally-sourced naturally renewable wood products and a building massing and solar shading design that helps control glare and heat gains. 

Photos courtesy of Francl Architecture Inc.