The vision for this project is not just a proposed replacement of the existing Marie Sharpe Elementary School in downtown Williams Lake. Instead, the master plan envisions the new school together with an Indigenous Cultural Centre and indoor fieldhouse on the same site. The plan is a result of a close working partnership between School District 27, Williams Lake First Nation, the City of Williams Lake, and Cariboo Regional District, and marks a major step towards reconciliation.

The goal of the new campus is to provide better education services and opportunities, along with enhanced recreational, athletic, and cultural programming. The school design includes extensive use of wood with undulating roof forms to echo the surrounding mountain range. The roof garden of the Cultural Centre is also designed as an extension of the landscape with spiralled access from the ground up to an elevated public space, complete with a view towards the downtown area. The fieldhouse is planned to have dual access, allowing it to be used by the school during school hours and by the community afterhours for training, recreation, and community events.

The Surrey City Development Corporation had a unique ask.

Come up with a plan to develop the 25 arce site in Campbell Heights North into a Clean Energy Technology Park. A visionary master plan was developed to provide a hub for research, manufacturing and commercial use for the clean energy sector and other associated supporting technology sectors. This unique tech park will be a living lab for the advancement of Clean energy technology. It will also promote healthy working and living lifestyles And inspire potential for collaboration.

The Masterplan we provided is characterized by the Energy Plaza which is an urban green space with these features. A geothermal field provides the alternative energy source for the commercialization centre.

Storm Water Management is provided by a detention pond. Perforated paving material is used for the pedestrian walk and bike path. A recycle depot is on site and centrally located. There’s a district power plant that can tie into the geothermal field if it expands to service the entire park. For recreation, there’s a basketball court and a volleyball court. Extensive walking and bike trails connect to the pedestrian walkway.

The final green touch is the use of native plants to cut down on irrigation needs and maintenance.