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The light of learning: design and siting of Rawlins Elementary School, Fraser Riverfront Park, Vancouver, BC

University of British Columbia

"The Light of Learning-siting and designing a regionally appropriate elementary school." Every place on earth is uniquely composed of various phenomena, such as climate, topography, qualities of light, latitude, ambient moisture levels, etc. We are each profoundly affected by the unique way these general qualities combine in our particular region, and Norberg-Schultz argues that this connection begins at a very young age. It allows us to know our place in the world, to orient ourselves, and to find our "home." Here on the West Coast, one of the most powerful characteristics of place is the quality of our regional light: which fluctuates from a warm August Yellow, to a low winter white. In summer our skies are broad, blue and bounded only by the mountains and sea. During the rainy season, ambient moisture turns the air solid, as white light ebbs and flows through the cedar boughs and around our buildings. Through the design of an elementary school sited on the north bank of the Fraser River Estuary, I attempt to explore how one makes "place"-in this case a place of learning-which is both responsive to site and appropriate to the unique characteristics of region. During my design process the qualities of Regional Light remain the principal generative tool, with the central circulation spine acting as an organizing light scoop/stack ventilation, and each classroom pod bringing natural light in on at least two sides to create a non-glare learning environment. Other key considerations are the programmatic need for dual school/public access to the site, the reintroduction of natural habitat from the adjacent river-front park, and a respect for the layers of history which have shaped the site before its current zoning as an elementary school.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-05-21

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8040

Architecture

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace