Addressing Surrey School district’s rapid growth while enhancing the quality of its learning environments, this two-story school addition exemplifies the thoughtful integration of sustainable design and 21st century learning principles on a restrictive site.

Conceived as a 1,000 m² extension to the original single-story school (built in 1989), the addition provides eight general classrooms, two special education rooms, and ancillary spaces. A breezeway links the old and new, creating both continuity and contrast in form and function, while addressing code issues with minimal impact on the existing building. At ground level, a concrete plinth wraps around the building like a continuous porch, mitigating the grade changes in the site and serving as both social hub and play area. An exterior staircase links the upper floor directly to the playground, providing democratic access to the outdoors for all classrooms.

In response to the BC Wood First Act, the design features a hybrid mass timber structural system. Glulam beams, cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors, and standard wood-framed walls combine to create a resilient, low-carbon structure. The exposed wood elements contribute to an interior atmosphere that is natural, warm and inviting – ideal for learning and wellness. Located near the White Rock shoreline, the building references this context with a palette of salmon and sea blue tones that weave through the interior and exterior finishes.

The building location was fine-tuned to preserve a nearby stand of old-growth cedar, embedding the project in natural surroundings, while supporting the district’s expanding educational mandate for sustainability

Related work: Featured Schools Wood Innovation