École La Vallée represents a transformative step for Pemberton’s francophone community, offering a purpose-built French-language school in the heart of the community. Situated behind the existing Signal Hill Elementary, the 43,000 square foot, two-storey facility began construction in spring 2025 and is now well underway.
Designed by Principle Architecture and Local Practice Architecture + Design, the school will feature a gymnasium, basketball court, soccer field, and French-language childcare services, creating a vibrant hub for education and community engagement.
The building’s structural system employs a hybrid mass timber approach that prioritizes both sustainability and high performance. The concrete foundation supports a superstructure that integrates cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels supported by glulam girders and purlins, forming a resilient and efficient framing system. Lateral stability is achieved through balloon-framed CLT shear walls and steel HSS columns, which also allows flexible, open interior spans. Double-height volumes in key areas like the gymnasium, auditorium, and hallways contribute to a sense of openness and architectural clarity.
Upon completion, the school will accommodate 220 students, with the flexibility to expand and add up to 150 additional seats in the future.
