Sainte-Anne Academy by Taktik Design, Canada

Could there be such a thing as a school with an open, innovative approach to educating elementary school students, which also preserves the historical heritage of the school building? Yes, there actually is, thanks to the award-winning GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN project by Canadian-based firm Taktik Design.



Sainte-Anne Academy is a bilingual elementary school in Dorval, a town located southwest of Montréal, Québec in a heritage building erected in 1896. A major challenge, considering the design constraints, but the team from Taktik Design took it up with gusto and great respect, to create interiors that meet the needs of students and teachers, as well keeping pace with the latest teaching standards.





The creative team from Taktik Design went for light-filled, flexible open spaces designed for interaction and incorporating additional areas like a theatre and even a greenhouse. They used modelled plywood for the spaces and for the furniture tailored to the size of the children, enabling the team to keep down the overall costs of the whole job, which also including restyling the school's logo and brand image.





Taktik Design assigned colours to give each school group a visual identity. This helps the children find their way around and sets up a real sense of belonging. A lot different from many school projects, particularly for elementary schools where the ideas seem to be more a reflection of what adults think children need, rather than a response to their real requirements and to the demands of teaching. 





By opting to go with Taktik Design - known for its fresh, multidisciplinary approach to the world of interior design and visual communication - Sainte-Anne Academy made a really important decision, putting to the forefront the fundamental part played by the environments for the wellbeing of the users and to achieve the educational goals. And it all started from a blank page, in other words a heritage building whose reconfigured space and contemporary look were what really won over the jury of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN, annual contest aimed at showcasing the talent of Quebec-based designers and architects.

Christiane Bürklein

Project: Taktik Design www.taktikdesign.com
Location: Dorval, Québec, Canada
Year: 2015
Images: © Maxime Broullet - thanks to v2com
Link to school www.primaire.sainteanne.ca/en/