Russell High School

Russell, Ontario

Upper Canada District School Board

Phase I of Russell High School was originally designed by Edward J. Cuhaci and Associates Architects in 1994. The firm was subsequently retained to design a 5179 sq.m., two-storey addition to the existing school. Major additions include a new double gymnasium, stage, cafeteria and educational wing with labs and shops. The stage and multipurpose rooms are shared by the community and are being used by local theatrical groups.

A two storey atrium was designed to link the old and new and to help organize the circulation and access to the public areas of the school. A new building entrance located off the central atrium leads to a new parking area on the south side of the building. Other new programming features include science labs, computer labs, classrooms, family studies rooms, music room and woodworking shop. The existing gymnasium located in the original building was retrofitted into a library/resource center with new windows opening into the new atrium.

The site plan required extensive civil engineering to include new parking areas and relocated sports field. Construction was phased to allow parallel occupancy of the original building. The project was built with a construction management firm.