Sustainable School Designs
École de l’Étincelle Reimagines Educational Environments in Canada
Debra John — October 11, 2025
Located in Parc Joachim in Saguenay’s Chicoutimi district, École de l’Étincelle exemplifies sustainable school design deeply connected to its environment. Recipient of a 2025 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, the project highlights how thoughtful architecture can promote both ecological responsibility and student well-being.
Built entirely of locally sourced wood, the school minimizes its carbon footprint while supporting Quebec’s sustainable forestry economy. The use of natural materials enhances indoor air quality and creates a warm, biophilic atmosphere that fosters comfort and focus. The layout maximizes natural light, reducing energy consumption, while the building’s orientation and passive ventilation improve thermal efficiency.
Vegetable gardens and green spaces surrounding the campus encourage outdoor learning and biodiversity, linking students to nature. Inside, the Culinary Lab promotes food education and healthy eating through garden-to-table programs. Together, these elements position École de l’Étincelle as a model for low-impact, community-centered educational design in Canada.
