HOLY TRINITY ACADEMY
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ROMAN
CATHOLIC SEPARATE REGIONAL DIVISION #38
HOLY TRINITY ACADEMY
HIGH SCHOOL + PUBLIC LIBRARY
DRAYTON VALLEY, ALBERTA
AREA: 35,500 SQF (INCLUSIVE OF 800 SQF LIBRARY)
It is important that a school reflects the unique character of its community. In the case of Holy Trinity Academy, design elements were introduced that reflect the Catholic heritage and values of the school. The design team utilized large corridor windows to tell the story of the life of Christ. Larger-than-life reproductions of religious paintings in translucent film fill the glazed openings, giving an appearance of stained glass. Additionally, the corridor gallery exposes students to the works of the great Masters of art from different periods of time. The outcome is a utilitarian space that further functions as a teaching tool as well as reflects the school’s identity.
Another method of introducing elements of faith is through architectural form. For instance, in a preliminary scheme the central gathering space was encircled with twelve paired columns (Apostles). This could be used as an object lesson to tell the story of how Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs to preach the good news.
A primary design approach to Holy Trinity Academy was to provide the building with a warm colour and materials palette. For the ten months that students are in attendance, six are cold and wintry. We wanted the interior to be a refuge from the cold – a place where students and staff want to stay and enjoy their surroundings. The floors are finished in an array of colored sheet linoleum; in addition, portions of the ceiling reveal natural pine decking with fir laminated timber beams. Natural light is provided throughout the school by means of clerestory lighting in the central corridor and common social area.
Holy Trinity Academy is considered the flagship school for the division.