Surrey breaks single-storey school tradition
Snokomish Elementary rises three stories in Surrey’s Panorama community. The new school opened this week, serving 420 students with capacity for 655. Most Surrey elementary schools remain single-level.
School leaders call it the future of construction. Land costs soar alongside building expenses. Three-storey designs maximize space while serving growing populations efficiently.
The 27-classroom facility cost $44 million. It relieves pressure at nearby overcrowded schools. Portables still dot the district despite new capacity.
Indigenous name and courtyard design
Semiahmoo First Nation gifted the Snokomish name. The building wraps around a central courtyard inspired by Indigenous learning practices. Teachers enjoy visibility throughout shared spaces.
Classrooms open directly into wide hallways. Sliding doors create flexible learning zones. Collaboration spaces encourage group work and supervision.
Compared to 2014’s Catesie Elementary in Clayton, Snokomish packs more students vertically. Catesie already uses portables despite recent construction. Demand outpaces single-storey supply.
District faces enrolment pressures
Surrey Schools saw slight enrolment dip this year. Federal immigration policy changes contributed. However, projections show growth returning soon.
The board requests $5.5 billion from province. Funds would build and expand dozens of schools. Portables remain common across the district despite new facilities like Snokomish.
Snokomish Elementary rises three stories as a test case. District officials hope multi-storey schools become standard rather than exceptions. Vertical construction addresses land scarcity directly.
Modern design meets growing needs
The courtyard-centred layout improves supervision. Wide hallways double as learning spaces. Flexible doors adapt rooms for different group sizes.
Panorama neighbourhood growth demanded the new school. Nearby facilities reached capacity quickly. Snokomish provides breathing room while setting architectural precedent.
Surrey’s school construction philosophy evolves rapidly. Single-storey campuses served past generations well. Future students need taller solutions as families fill developing communities.
Source: Global News coverage of Snokomish Elementary opening and Surrey Schools’ capacity challenges.
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