The Warwick Academy
The Warwick Academy, founded in 1662 is considered to be the longest continually operating school in the Western World, and is well known for its high standards of Academic Excellence.
Located on 22 acres in the heart of Bermuda, the school serves both Primary and Secondary School students, as well as an International Baccalaureate program of more than 100 students.
Over the years, and particularly, over the last half century, the school has been expanded through multiple phases of construction to provide additional athletic, arts, and academic facilities. These expansions have been typically undertaken in reaction to an immediate need with no long term Master Plan along with guiding principles for future facilities. The result is a building complex which lacks clear delineation between the various departments, complicated circulation with various floor levels that hamper accessibility, and no central focus or sense of arrival.
+VG Architects in association with local architects Botelho Wood Architects were commissioned by Warwick Academy to lead a design study to examine options to implement the Academy’s current expansion plans:
- New Learning Commons
- New secondary wing with eight new classrooms
- New International Baccalaureate centre (22,000 ft2)
- New Performing Arts Centre (16,000 ft2)
- New multi-purpose rooms for Primary and Secondary levels
- Improved parking and automobile circulation
- Improved pedestrian circulation
- New 12 unit residential development
Previous expansions at Warwick Academy have typically been undertaken in reaction to an immediate need, without the benefit of a long-term Master Plan. The +VG study provided guiding principles for future facilities, and recommendations to improve the existing campus, with better delineation between various departments, simplification of the circulation and enhanced accessibility. The study examines options to develop a central focus for the campus and create an appropriate sense of arrival at this remarkable institution.
LOCATION
Bermuda
COMPLETED
2012
SIZE
22,000 ft² (New International Baccalaureate centre)
16,000 ft² (New Performing Arts Centre)
SERVICES
Master Plan
Prince of Wales Elementary School
The new Prince of Wales school is a state-of-the-art facility, with up-to-date classroom amenities for the students.
The design is based on the Provincial elementary education program, and a versatile “Town Square” concept. The new accessible, multi-use facility is integrated into the neighbourhood, permitting after-hours use by the community. Full-sized playfields were relocated in the location of the old school.
The architectural design is intentionally modern in style, intended to be a positive statement about urban revitalization in this older downtown neighborhood. The new school’s “warm and inviting character” is due to the contrast between distinctive modern features like the glass curtain wall and the antique-looking red-brown brick. The project re-used many historic stone artifacts from the original school.
Located in the heart of urban Hamilton, the design has been praised for its “out-of-the-box thinking and efficient site planning”. Prince of Wales elementary, in the shadow of famed Ivor Wynne Stadium, won the Award of Merit in the City of Hamilton’s 2009 Urban Design and Architecture Awards. Winners of the juried contest must excel in multiple areas:
- Address scale, materials, and building orientation within context
- Create a quality pedestrian environment
- Respect heritage
- Incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability
- Be well executed
The awards jury said this put an “important community use” on a “potentially difficult site.”
LOCATION
Hamilton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2009
SIZE
75,600 ft²
Capacity
800 FTS
SERVICES
New Construction
AWARDS
2009 Award of Merit
Hamilton Urban Design Awards
Muskoka Falls Elementary School & Day Care
This elementary school project offered an opportunity to demonstrate how sustainability and the creation of an inspired learning environment are complementary agendas in school design.
Strategic decisions regarding material selections reinforce ideas of sustainability and connection to the natural surroundings in which the building was set.
Pre-cast concrete floors and roof, concrete block, and clay brick all represent locally available and highly durable material selections. Complementary natural woods and composite wood panels describe a relationship to with the natural surroundings while utilizing renewable and fully recyclable products.
Enhanced interior day-lighting is accomplished through large, north facing windows for all classrooms and translucent glazing panels that direct and diffuse natural light deep into the gymnasium space.
Continuous curtain wall glazing for the library with a view out across the Muskoka River is accompanied by a deep soffit overhang that minimizes summer solar heat gain. This employment of day-lighting techniques reduces energy demand for lighting which can constitute as much as 30% of the energy requirement for a typical school building. Natural light has also been linked to improved student performance.
Our experience in “evidence based” design, exemplified in this project, continues to be used on other projects to create positive learning environments.
LOCATION
Bracebridge, Ontario
COMPLETED
2007
SIZE
22,000 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction
Peterborough Public Library
The project is an addition and complete refresh to the Peterborough Main Public Library, located on Aylmer Street, west of the City centre.
The facility was opened in 1978 and was designed by Moriyama Architects. It is a two-storey brick building with curving clerestory flood- ing the interior collections space with light. The exterior stairs lead up to a compressed lobby entrance that connects to the open main collection area. The lower level has a community space, auditorium, a suite of administration offices, and a large storage and processing area.
The focus of the expansion is to have a strong street presence; be open, inviting, and transparent; and provide an accessible entrance, while increasing the amount of flexible community spaces. The existing facility will be transformed to be open, airy, and day-lit.
The layout will be reconfigured to increase public space in the lower level which will host the Children’s Library. A large opening will be provided in the floor above, allowing natural light and a feature stair to connect the collections. The view to the exterior court from the Children’s Library will be enhanced by landscaping the hillside.
More public computers, a lap top café, casual seating areas, study areas, and seminar rooms will be available.
LOCATION
Peterborough, Ontario
COMPLETED
2018
SIZE
45,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
PRESS
+VG Architects Renovates the Peterborough Public Library
Canadian Architect
Peterborough Public Library sculpture taking shape
Peterborough Examiner
Fire hall foundation unearthed during Peterborough Public Library renovations
Peterborough Examiner
Milton Central Public Library
Part of the Milton Centre for the Arts, the main Library complements the vision of the Milton Public Library Board for their service delivery model.
The Library includes space for: Broad, in-depth collections; Resources and programs; Children’s program room; Computer training and study rooms; Seating (including silent study space); and Workstations.
The project has consolidated the program into a single destination on the second floor. There are two main studios, one for adults and one for children. Main programming features of the Library include: Administration area including offices and staff lounge; Check out, central lobby, and central concession areas; Program, silent study and group study rooms; Children’s collection and reading areas; Fiction and non-fiction collections areas; and Washroom facilities and ancillary service uses.
The Library is part of a larger renovation project for the Milton Centre for the Arts which includes two theatre spaces: the Mattamy Theatre, a 500 seat theatre (21,000 ft2); and the adjacent Minmaxx Hall, a 200 seat multi-use theatre space which can be used as a performance space, private event space, or rehearsal space for the main theatre.
LOCATION
Milton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2011
SIZE
27,240 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction (Design/Build)
AWARDS
2012 PRO Award of Excellence in Design
Parks & Recreation Ontario
Wellington County Public Library Hillsburgh Branch
This public library is located on a historical property containing a Century Home as well as a large pond and ancient trees.
This development provides state of the art library services while demonstrating lessons in natural and community history.
The new facility brings all the amenities associated with a modern library to this rural locale while maintaining the historical significance of the property.
The design incorporates the existing historical homestead by enveloping it within the new construction, positioned in such a way as to feature the existing home within the street views.
The use of mobile shelving serves to provide a space which can be arranged for larger functions either library-related or library adjacent.
LOCATION
Hillsburgh, Ontario
COMPLETED
2018
SIZE
10,000 ft²
SERVICES
Retrofit
Wellington County Public Library Fergus Branch
+VG Architects were awarded this commission in 2012, following an intensive design competition.
The County expressed interest in achieving multiple parameters, which were addressed by the winning design:
- Integration of the Library addition with the adjacent Grand River gorge and waterfront and with the busy, historic downtown streetscape as well “Windows and Vision”
- A gathering place for people to congregate and develop a sense of community. Long term plans for the Township of Centre Wellington will make this area a Riverfront Walkway, with gardens and places to stop, read, enjoy the views, or socialize. This new Library project will be the catalyst to begin this process.
- An opportunity to incorporate a multi-purpose space bringing the outside in and the inside out. Open space and garden area that can accommodate public readings, concerts, public gatherings, etc. with a view and access to the river/gorge.
- Re-designed parking to be incorporated as part of the building design.
- Incorporate and respect the natural surroundings. Tucked directly behind the Library, Templin Gardens is one of best places in Fergus and a major community attraction. The site offers visitors a quiet and relaxing setting where they can truly appreciate nature’s beauty. In addition to many flowers, the gardens contain a fishpond, rock garden, and steps leading to a balcony overlooking the Grand River.
LOCATION
Fergus, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
15,000 ft²
Norfolk County Public Library
The building is owned by Grand Erie District School Board which has applied an innovative multi-use concept to create a valuable community resource from existing surplus space.
The sleek design of the new branch works “with the grain” of a former High School which has been adapted to new use, serving the Library, a new elementary school, and various public sector agencies. The whimsical design of the new front entrance way is comprised of translucent glass with coloured film on the inside. The split-level layout is designed for efficiency. The open concept allows the new Library to be operated with minimal staff. Spaces include bright reading and study areas and an inviting children’s room. Seminar rooms are available for public rental, which helps generate revenue for the County.
The expansion includes new activity and educational program areas, public washrooms, relocated Research Room and Archival Storage, multi-purpose space, storage space in the basement, and a new one storey gallery addition. +VG provided full architectural services.
LOCATION
Port Dover, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
8,700 ft²
SERVICES
Expansion
