Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada
Located in the heart of Parc Joachim in Saguenay’s Chicoutimi district, the École de l’Étincelle embodies architecture deeply connected to its surroundings. The design transforms the traditional school into a warm, accessible, and child-friendly environment that feels like home.
École de l’Étincelle won an 2025 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
The school is fragmented into small houses inspired by Quebec’s vernacular architecture, reflecting Saguenay’s lifestyle closely tied to nature. Built entirely of wood, both structurally and internally, it pays homage to local resources and traditions.
The building is divided into three sections serving distinct functions. Facing the street, the first section houses administration on the ground floor and kindergarten classrooms at garden level, ensuring safety by linking the youngest students directly to the courtyard.
The central section reimagines the traditional library as a community learning hub, accessible beyond school hours. Bleachers here serve as a gathering space and visual centerpiece, connecting children to common areas. Adjacent to this is the Creative Lab, a flexible space equipped with modern technology that connects directly to the library to support research and creativity. This zone opens onto the courtyard, separating lively play from focused study. Nearby, the Culinary Lab features a fully equipped kitchen linked visually to both the Creative Lab and the park’s treetops. Garden produce is prepared here for sharing, supporting the school’s vision of integrating food education to enhance well-being, engagement, and success.
The third section contains classrooms grouped into three small houses with sloping roofs, creating intimate “schools within a school.” Each cycle forms its own learning community, with classrooms oriented to capture natural northern light. Central collaborative spaces mimic public squares, fostering teamwork and diverse learning styles.
Sunlit interstitial spaces between these houses create social zones that encourage curiosity and autonomy, with a library extending throughout to inspire exploration.
A unique feature, the Chalet, supports young people with special needs. Designed like a home, it includes a living room, kitchen with island, and dining area, promoting social and emotional growth through trust and conversation.
Outdoor landscaping extends learning beyond walls, carefully designed for Saguenay’s northern climate. The U-shaped layout forms a secure courtyard with a fitness trail, playground usable in bad weather, outdoor classroom, vegetable garden, and varied play areas. This creates a microclimate protected from wind and harsh weather.
Sustainability is ensured through passive design: maximizing solar gain, operable windows in every room, and an emphasis on biophilia, allowing occupants to connect with and animate the building. The school balances specific student needs with community access outside school hours, reflecting integrated, sustainable public architecture.
Through innovation and thoughtful detail, École de l’Étincelle is a model of future institutional design in Quebec, fostering connection, learning, and well-being in a welcoming, natural setting.
Architects: Agence Spatiale, Appareil Architecture, and BGLA architecture + design urbain
Design Team: Stéphan Gilbert, Étienne Bernier, and Kim Pariseau
Landscape Architects: Rousseau Lefevbre and Collectif Escargo
General Contractor: AMEC Construction Inc.
Client: Centre de Services Scolaire des Rives-du-Saguenay
Photographers: Maxime Brouillet
