Corpus Christi School Expansion
Vancouver, BC // Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vancouver // Completed 2022
LOCI worked closely with Dimas Craveiro Architects and the Client on this renovation and expansion of the Corpus Christi School grounds in Vancouver’s East Side, in response to the local neighbourhood’s growing demands for an increase in school spaces, playgrounds and facilities. The overall landscape concept plan was based on intuitive wayfinding and connectivity, multi-functional spaces and programming, sustainable design and strong west coast themes to guide our materials palettes.
Architect: Dimas Craveiro Architects // General Contractor: Ventana Construction // Landscape Contractor: North By Northwest
Design Focus
Lost in all the mumbo jumbo? No problem. Here’s a breakdown of what this project has added to the space/our design focus in one digestible pie chart.
Project in Numbers
Proposed Trees
Trees reduce the heat island effect and enhance habitat for birds, insects and bees.
69
Planting Beds/Permeable Landscapes
Plants and soil absorb and uptake rainwater, reducing run-off into our storm system
3,006 m²
Green Infrastructure
We've added high absorbent, pre-grown sedum mats onto rooftops, turning surfaces typically devoid of life into small garden habitats.
267 m²
Outdoor Social Amenities
Children’s play areas, basketball courts, and various seating and meeting areas throughout the site
1,405 m²
Improved Streetscapes
This includes improved lighting, enhanced landscaping, and new amenities like seating and art
2,418 m²
New Public Gathering Spaces
Public space enhances community life and creates vibrant neighbourhoods
1,583 m²
Plan + Strategy
The overall layout aimed to create a sense of arrival to the school, while incorporating walls, ramps and seating into the challenging prevailing grades to create gradual transitions between spaces. Site lines and physical accessibility were considered and integrated into the design throughout. ‘Outdoor rooms’ were programmed for different uses for different times of the day, with their varying sizes able to accommodate large groups as well as more intimate gatherings. From a sustainability perspective, strategically placed rain gardens receive and absorb both surface flow and rooftop rainwater runoff, thereby maximizing the site’s permeability, replenishing ground water, and encouraging uptake by plant roots.
Concepts + Visualisations
A design rooted in Westcoast thematics and materials encouraged us to explore more naturalized shapes, organic curves, native plants and boulder outcrops. Integrating child play into the landscape, through games, play structures, rain gardens and covered areas, allowed us to extend the concept of “classroom” into the landscape.
Refinement + Working Drawings
The site’s contours were a continuous challenge to ensure the layout and programming was scaled properly and fully accessible. LOCI worked closely with DCA and Ventana Construction to respond to these challenges through a collaborative approach for drawing revisions and value engineering.
Execution + Build
A design rooted in Westcoast thematics and materials encouraged us to explore more naturalized shapes, organic curves, native plants and boulder outcrops. Integrating child play into the landscape, through games, play structures, rain gardens and covered areas, allowed us to extend the concept of “classroom” into the landscape.
