Rising from the Ashes

The replacement of the Southern Okanagan Secondary School began as an expansion and renovation to an existing secondary school, with an attached community-supported performing arts theatre. During construction of the expansion, just prior to completion, the existing historical wing and Venables Theatre was destroyed in a fire. After the fire, a new performing arts theatre and neighborhood learning center were included in the project.

Key features of the design include:

• A circular multipurpose room constructed from glue-laminated beams, wood decking and concrete and wood columns that opens to a central courtyard and is the primary focal point for student gathering.
• A new performing arts theatre that provides seating for 400 patrons in a tiered seating configuration.
• A two-story main theatre lobby (similar to the multi-purpose room) that serves as a space for public gathering.
• Provision of a geothermal heating system, solar photo voltaic cells and a wind turbine to support renewable energy use.
• The use of water-efficient landscaping and storm water management to reduce water use.