Project Details
Value:
$39.4 Million
Completion:
August 2025
Size:
60,116 sq.ft.
Services:
Prime Consulting, Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Contract Administration
Nįtélazёtúë Elementary School functions as both an educational facility and a civic gathering place for learning and community life in the Village of La Loche, reflecting values of unity, culture, and togetherness. Rooted in extensive consultation with students, teachers, and community members, the design meets functional requirements while honouring the spirit of the people it serves.
A series of multi-stage engagements with the Northern Lights School Division, the La Loche community, staff, students, specialty teachers, and maintenance staff captured aspirations that shaped the school’s identity. These discussions informed key design decisions that address both community and operational needs.
The interior layout supports progression and age-appropriate learning. Pre-Kindergarten and primary classrooms are located on the ground floor, while older grades occupy the second level, reflecting students’ developmental growth. Classrooms are arranged along the building perimeter to maximise natural light, while the administration wing at the main entrance provides security and a welcoming arrival experience. The design also includes tutorial rooms to accommodate fluctuating enrolment, in-class washrooms to support younger students, and a servery that replaces the traditional staff kitchen, improving the delivery of the breakfast program. After hours, the library and gymnasium host community events and celebrations, integrating school and community life.
The building expresses a strong sense of place. Colourful bands above the windows echo the surrounding skies, capturing soft dawn light to the east, brilliant southern afternoons, golden western sunsets, and the deep greens and blues of the northern lights along the north façade. Heavy timber logs from nearby forests frame the entrance and extend into the cultural room, where thirteen tilted poles form a teepee structure. This sacred space accommodates smudging and traditional teachings, honouring La Loche’s Dene heritage.
Photo Credit:
King Rose Visuals
Awards and Publications
- Premier’s Awards of Excellence in Design, Honourable Mention (Architecture) (2025)