The swift build reinstated education for students in kindergarten all the way through grade 12. Parkin, the architecture firm behind the project, recognized the school’s significance as a vital community resource and approached design with this at top of mind. Design and construction occurred concurrently to speed up the project.
Project Name: Arviligruaq Ilinniarvik School
Studio Name: Parkin Architects
Location: Kugaaruk, NU
Completion Date: 2019
Total Area: 50,000 sq. ft.
Lead Architect: Justin Leclair, Principal
Design-Build Team: Parkin Architects, Accutech Engineering Inc., and Kudlik Construction Limited
Photography: Gerry Kopelow Photography
Renamed Arviligruaq Ilinniarvik, meaning “bowhead whale,” the school pays tribute to the cultural significance of the species and its historic return to the area. This modern facility has instilled renewed pride in the community and led to increased student enrollment, providing a space that meets the educational and social needs of Kugaaruk’s residents.
The school’s layout is designed to accommodate students of different ages, with designated floors for kindergarten and older students. Each floor features a commons area, offering semi-public spaces that encourage interaction. To further foster community engagement, the facility includes a gymnasium, an exercise room, a library, a canteen, and multi-purpose classrooms for public and semi-public events.
At the heart of the school, the front entrance welcomes visitors with high ceilings, a sweeping staircase, and design elements inspired by the surrounding landscape. Wood and metal flourishes evoke ocean waves, while a row of colored windows bathes the lobby in natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Honoring the past, materials from the original structure were thoughtfully repurposed. Stones from the old school’s iconic archway were incorporated into the new trophy case, preserving a tangible link to the community’s heritage and history.
The project won 2020’s Learning by Design, Spring 2020 Educational Facilities Design Awards for Outstanding Project.
