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.

Project Essentials

  • LocationPemberton, BC
  • ClientCSF (School District 93)
  • Architect(s)Principle Architecture & Local Practice Architecture 
  • Size43,000 Sq. ft.
Interior rendering of the gym in the Ecoles La Vallee new mass timber school. Interior rendering of the hallway on the Ecoles La Vallee new mass timber school.

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.