Orillia Secondary School +

CLIENT: Simcoe County School Board
LOCATION: Orillia

This new secondary school is located on a tight, challenging site with a significant grade change. The elevation drops an entire floor over a narrow footprint, transforming the building from a two-storey structure at street level into three storeys at the rear, flowing onto the sports field. Its visual and physical connection to the exterior heightens the user's experience, creating light-filled, double height spaces that bely its limited budget. The central forum’s distinguishing feature is a grand staircase that serves as both a casual lounge space and informal classroom setting. This secondary school exemplifies how a lean educational construction budget can be elevated to an inspiring place for both learning and community-building.