Scott Young PS Addition

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

The Scott Young Public School addition was developed to address a clear need in the Omemee community: a lack of accessible space for early childhood education, family services, and inclusive community programming. The project delivers new kindergarten classrooms, a licensed daycare facility, and a multi-functional Community Hub, all designed to serve a growing population and strengthen community connection.

The daycare provides spaces for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 25 preschoolers, supported by dedicated administration and service areas. Kindergarten classrooms are connected to the existing school, while the daycare and Community Hub have separate entrances and can operate independently. Each program area includes its own play space, with new site features such as barrier-free parking and a kiss and ride drop-off zone enhancing accessibility and safety.

Constructed using tilt-up concrete panels, the project was completed efficiently despite significant constraints, including limited staging space, a tight footprint, and the need to maintain regular school operations during construction. The use of tilt-up allowed for fast panel casting on-site, reduced construction timelines, and ensured durability in a winter build. The structure was successfully erected and enclosed during the winter months, with crews working through challenging weather conditions to meet schedule requirements.

The tilt-up panels feature four distinct form liner patterns that bring variety and texture to the exterior, creating a visually dynamic façade without relying on traditional brick. This approach required precise coordination during casting and installation to ensure alignment and consistency across transitions. Special consideration was also given to the concrete mix and pouring methods to achieve high-quality finishes and avoid imperfections.

A standout architectural feature is the cantilevered corner element, which required detailed structural engineering and custom coordination. The complexity of form liner depths and the need to maintain crisp, consistent finishes posed unique challenges that were resolved through close collaboration between the design and construction teams.

Construction took place during the academic year on an active school site. Ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff required strict protocols, including secure hoarding, designated student pathways, and restricted work hours. Coordination with school staff and phased work planning were critical to maintaining school operations without compromise.

Since its completion, the addition has created a lasting impact on the community. It has alleviated local childcare shortages, enhanced early learning environments, and introduced a welcoming space for family programs, after-school activities, and other community services. This project represents more than a physical expansion, it is a long-term investment in the well-being and growth of the Omemee community.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The project posed significant logistical and safety challenges due to its location on a fully occupied site, with construction taking place during the academic school year. Ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff required meticulous planning and coordination throughout all phases of construction.

The active school environment meant that access points, construction zones, and work hours had to be carefully controlled and continuously monitored. Strict safety protocols were implemented to eliminate risk to building occupants, including secure hoarding, dedicated student pathways, and scheduled work during evenings, weekends, and holidays whenever possible.

Complicating the build further, construction extended through the winter months. Cold temperatures and snowfall increased the complexity of concrete work and site coordination, especially with tilt-up panel casting and erection occurring on-site within a constrained footprint.

With limited space for staging, equipment, and crane movement, the team developed creative logistical solutions. These included phased delivery schedules, compact crane configurations, and strategic panel casting sequencing that minimized disruption while maintaining efficiency.

Close collaboration with the school administration was essential. Regular communication, safety reviews, and flexible planning allowed the team to respond quickly to evolving needs and maintain a safe, functional learning environment throughout the build.

Despite these challenges, the project was completed on time and without incident. Through thoughtful coordination, smart use of tilt-up construction, and a strong commitment to safety, the team delivered a successful outcome that respected both the schedule and the school community.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The proposed design featured a bold architectural vision that utilized four distinct and uniquely patterned concrete form liners. Each liner was selected to introduce a different texture and visual identity, contributing to a dynamic and expressive façade that distinguished each program area within the building. Executing this design required a high level of coordination and precision to ensure consistency, alignment, and full adherence to the design intent.

The installation of multiple form liners presented both logistical and technical challenges. The varied depths and surface profiles of the liners made alignment critical, especially at panel joints and transitions. Extensive on-site verification and custom layout solutions were needed, along with close collaboration between the design team, tilt-up subcontractors, and site supervisors. Sequencing the pours correctly was essential to avoid pattern misalignments and to maintain quality across all surfaces.

Another layer of complexity came from the settlement behavior of concrete within the textured liners. To achieve crisp, uniform finishes free of air pockets or surface imperfections, the team had to fine-tune the concrete mix, adapt vibration techniques, and carefully manage pouring methods.

One of the most striking architectural elements is a cantilevered corner panel, which required custom structural detailing and engineering input to achieve both the desired visual effect and necessary structural performance. This feature pushed the limits of conventional tilt-up and demonstrated how this method can support sophisticated architectural expression while maintaining practical efficiency.