Daylight-Centered School Architecture

Primary School – Architectural Design Study

Project Type: Educational Facility Design
Location: 50 Upper Rouge Trail, Scarborough, Toronto
Program: Two-Storey Primary School
Date: August 2023

Developed as part of the Architectural Technology Program at Centennial College, this project explores the design of a contemporary primary school set within an 18,601 square meter site in Scarborough, Toronto. The design emphasizes openness, natural light, and spatial clarity, creating an educational environment that supports learning while maintaining strong connections to the surrounding landscape.

The building composition centers on a spacious skylit lobby positioned at the main entrance, establishing a welcoming focal point for students and staff. Circulation corridors are organized around open courtyards that allow daylight to penetrate deep into the interior spaces, enhancing visual comfort while strengthening the connection between indoor learning environments and outdoor greenspace.

Environmental responsiveness guided several design decisions. Interchangeable louvers are incorporated along the west façade, functioning as sunshades to minimize glare in classrooms while maintaining access to natural light. The overall planning strategy dedicates approximately sixty percent of the site to landscaped greenspace, reinforcing the project’s commitment to openness and student well-being.

Design Elements

• Skylit central lobby creating a welcoming entrance space
• Courtyard planning strategy introducing daylight into corridors
• West façade louvers reducing glare while maintaining daylight
• Balanced integration of architecture and landscaped greenspace

The project was modeled in Revit and synchronized with Lumion for real-time visualization, allowing rapid exploration of lighting, materials, and spatial atmosphere. The result is a contemporary educational environment that balances clarity of form, environmental responsiveness, and student-focused spatial design.