Located in Drummondville in the Saint-Nicéphore sector, on the edge of a wooded area that greatly influenced the architectural design, the new Du Bosquet High School offers students a particularly inspiring place to learn.
When approaching this school project, which is located next to a large wooded area, nature, and more specifically the forest, became the anchor point for the concept. The primary architectural intention was to let the wooded area take center stage, to give it the leading role: the forest is integrated into the project, nature inhabits the building. This forest, which fills us with wonder, awakens our senses, and inspires us to surpass ourselves, naturally became the guiding principle for the creation of a place of education, learning, and growth.
To accentuate this special relationship with nature, the building's volume was designed to echo the stratification of the land. The materials used combine transparency and vertical relief, evoking the interplay of light and shadow at the edge of the woods. The light and energy it brings are also enhanced by abundant windows.
The new secondary school is integrated into the natural environment and imbued with the essence of the site. As a result, the layout allows for a series of spaces on the ground floor that wrap around the preserved wooded area. The spaces at the heart of the project (entrance hall, atrium, auditorium, cafeteria) and the circulation areas for the sports zone and gymnasium extend along the wooded area. These spaces therefore enjoy generous natural light and views of the thriving natural surroundings. This design, centered around a natural core, gives the project a strong identity and reinforces the sense of community among students, teachers, and administrative staff. On the upper floors, the layout—a double corridor with a central core—ensures smooth circulation. Each classroom benefits from abundant natural light thanks to large horizontal windows that open onto the landscape. Collaborative workspaces are located in the center of the learning areas.
A trail, a journey
Upon entering, users find themselves in the forest: the biophilic crossroads, the school's signature space, and the wooden bleachers create a public gathering space that opens perspectives and affirms the omnipresence of nature within the project. On the second level, this architectural journey continues, including an auditorium and a central circulation area in front of the large, bright library. Each space is connected to nature and to the grandeur and splendor of the forest.
Large glass facades combined with bronze-colored aluminum sunshades, coordinated with the colors of the wood, delicately filter the comforting light that shines through the canopy. The lush outdoor spaces echo the adjacent woodland: from the public square in front of the school to the inner courtyard, through a wide stepped opening between the sports complex and the main building, everything is interconnected, intertwined and enveloped by nature. In this environment, the school and the forest become one.
