We are honoured to accept a Special Jury Award for Crosstown Elementary School last night at the 2018 AIBC Architectural Awards ceremony. This award recognizes excellent achievement, selected from all awards submissions and determined by the jury. Our firm recognizes this significant achievement and wants to thank the entire team of our clients and consultants for bringing this project to life. This project represents a true collaboration of multiple stakeholders.

Crosstown Elementary School simply could not emerge without the support, collaboration, and guidance of the provincial government, City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Board of Education, consultants, and contractors. This project started out as an idea to address distinct neighbourhood needs and then evolved into a vital addition to one of the most diverse and densely populated communities in the province.

Crosstown Elementary School responds to a shift in the delivery of education in Vancouver. The need for urban schools has increased significantly, demanding non-traditional buildings that fit within the urban fabric. The school itself was designed with an eye towards creating a 21^st Century Learning Environment as defined by the Vancouver School Board. The most challenging task was paring down the program and design requirements to the essentials. The final design incorporates learning studios; a central staircase open to all floors to provide auditory and visual connection between all floors; and a main floor containing the gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, and a servery; all meant to be utilized by the local community outside of school hours. The coloured panels and sunshades add playful elements to the exterior, contrasting with the surrounding neutral-toned residential towers and grey skies common to Vancouver during a typical school year.