Happy Holidays from your team at Perkins+Will

After an eventful 2011 brought us the opening of new school phase one followed by phase 2 and the Neighbourhood of Learning Centre, it seems we all deserve a holiday break! Your Brighouse team at Perkins+Will hopes all students and staff and your families have a wonderful and relaxing holiday. We look forward to more exciting new school adventures in 2012! Do you think the new school will experience any snow over the holidays or into the New Year?

Robert shares Brighouse with the Journal of Commerce

On November 23rd Robert presented at a conference in Vancouver called SustainaBUILD. This conference focuses on green and sustainable building in Western Canada. Robert made a presentation titled: "Excellence in Sustainability, Communication, Consultation and Building at Brighouse Elementary," and was able to share the process and his experience at Brighouse Elementary with other architects and builders. After the conference he was interviewed by the Journal of Commerce , and he was able to share his story again. 
Click here to watch the video interview. 

Business as usual at the new school

Students and teachers have made the new school their home and as the Neighbourhood of Learning moves in the community feel at the new school is evident.

Nic Lehoux has been out taking photographs over the last few weeks and has captured the school looking fantastic. Over the next few weeks we'll give you a sample of his work. Starting with this photo showing off the curvy roof.

Opening Ceremony Video Journey

Friday's opening ceremony began with a video that Robert, Julie and the Perkins+Will team put together to give a brief overview of the fun they've had working with the student committee over the last few years. The collaboration process began over three years ago when students were asked what their ideal school would look like and what they would change about the old school. The student's voices were heard and the design team took many of their thoughts and put them into the final design (the slides and water park didn't work out unfortunately!) Once construction began the students and staff were given site tours and constant construction updates by Kevin and the EllisDon team as well as Robert and Julie. The communication between the students and the design and construction team was ongoing and the collaboration is evident in the amazing new school we celebrated on Friday. To watch the video click here to go to youtube

Brighouse Grand Opening Today!

The Grand Opening of the new Brighouse Elementary School, Gymnasium and Neighbourhood of Learning took place this morning at the school. Despite the rainy weather many students, teachers and invited guests came out to mark the occasion. A video featuring many parts of the Brighouse story found here in the blog was shown to start the ceremony. The choir sang, the band played and invited guests such as Donna Sargent, George Abbott and Joe Becker shared their thoughts on the new facility.
All speaker and students seemed confident that Brighouse is in the running for the best school in British Columbia, if not Canada and maybe the best school in the world! What do you think?

George Abbott and Donna Sargent unveiled the plaque

Mr Heeny and a student shared their excitement about the new and green school. 

The new school chatters about the arrival of a Musqueim Talking Stick

As excitement builds for the Grand Opening of the new school this Friday, finishing touches are being put on many elements. Joseph Becker “Tsetscultun” has been busy working on a Talking Stick made of yellow cedar, that will represent the First Nations community in the new school.

In a tribal council circle, a talking stick is passed around from member to member allowing only the person holding the stick to speak. This enables everyone present at a council meeting to be heard, especially those who may be shy. Talking sticks have high ceremonial and spiritual value. The animals carved in the talking stick at Brighouse each represent values Brighouse students stand for.  

Thunderbird – Is the Great Protector of life. The Almighty Teacher who protects the weak and hunted: Symbolizes Respect and Gratitude

Raven – Is the storyteller Trickster; the one who makes people look at their own behaviour: Symbolizes Intelligence and Wisdom

Wolf – Symbolizes Dedication and Faithfulness

Bear – Is the protector and symbolizes Physical Strength, Leadership and Courage.

Whale – Symbolizes Harmony and Communication

Joesph Beck has been carving for over 40 years

Final Occupancy Awarded for the New School!

Brighouse was awarded a final Occupancy Permit late Thursday afternoon. Robert would like to thank the whole team who contributed their time and passion to the project over the past (almost) three years. The school is truly amazing result of this. 
After almost two months back in school we hope the students and teachers are enjoying the facility as much as we enjoyed designing it. Looking forward to celebrating the Grand Opening with all of the students and staff on Friday October 28. 

The path to the kindergarten class room looks wild! 

The sun streams through the library windows shedding light on the readers!