Bedford, N.S.

Educational environments today take a holistic approach to learning. They introduce students to a variety of influences, from the natural surroundings, to the resources of the given community and to the world beyond.

The architect for Basinview, an elementary school and community centre, embraced this philosophy and incorporated open, welcoming entrance canopies, a large gymnasium, and an inviting atrium, complete with the site's original granite boulders. To see the project through from conception to completion, the architect called upon BMR's expertise. BMR has worked on more than 100 schools throughout Nova Scotia, either as new buildings, additions, or renovations.

The school's exterior walls are constructed with clay brick and concrete block backup, creating an attractive yet durable building. The canopies are constructed with colourful structural steel sections and pre-finished metal roofing, providing visual relief from the masonry.

A major benefit of the masonry walls is their ability to resist lateral loads from wind and earthquakes, thus deleting the requirements for steel x-bracing. The interior partition walls are also constructed of concrete block masonry for durability and to control sound transmission. These walls are non-load bearing, providing flexibility to remove or relocate them as required to accommodate future uses of the building.

The multi-level roof is framed with steel deck and open web steel joists. The second floor consists of concrete slabs on composite steel deck and open web steel joists. The roof and floor framing is supported on structural steel beams and columns. The structure is designed to support several operable partitions including a large full height partition through the centre of the gymnasium. The interior atrium is open from the lower level to the sloped glazing at the roof, introducing natural light into the centre of the facility.

BMR has also provided engineering services on numerous university buildings such as the Dalhousie University Sports Complex (Dalplex), with its air supported roof structure, St. Mary's University Business School, Loyola Tower and Academic Wing and more than 40 additional projects for various universities throughout the Maritime Provinces.

One might say we have "learned our lessons" from participation in over 100 school projects in Nova Scotia and 50 university projects throughout the Maritimes. New construction, additions and renovations - BMR is up to the assignment.