2014 Tommie Gold Award – “Best Outside of the Box”

As a new school in the area, Mar Jok Elementary School supports the educational and physical needs of the rapidly expanding Rose Valley community in West Kelowna, BC.

This project has been recognized as recipient of the 2014 Canadian Home Builder’s Association Tommie Gold Award for the “Best Outside of the Box” entry for its success in meeting the primary objectives and its innovative design features.

The school showcases innovative design features which implement 21st Century Learning principals. Classrooms are clustered in four groups, all with a central project area for multi-age cooperative learning or individual hands-on instruction. Lower floor clusters also have direct access to grade level exterior project areas. There is great flexibility provided through seamless transition, from individual learning to large collaborative enterprises through the use of collapsible partitions and moveable walls. Advancing technology includes the use of smart boards, iPads, sound field systems and other digital media resources to evolve and adapt with changing teaching techniques and various learning styles.

As a joint venture between School District No. 23 Central Okanagan and the District of West Kelowna, the school houses a Neighbourhood Learning Centre for the community’s use. The Neighbourhood Learning Centre includes shared components such as community program space within the building, gymnasium, stage, multi-purpose room and small kitchen, a small park, soccer fields and public washrooms.

Read more about Mar Jok Elementary here.