Ecole Louis Riel School
École Catholique Louis Riel has been celebrated as a place of joy and creativity, a vibrant community hub where every learner can reach their full potential.
Located in the O'Brien Lake subdivision of Grande Prairie, Alberta, this French immersion Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8 school was designed for the demands of 21st-century learning.
Natural light and collaboration define the building, which features a two-storey learning commons with an agora stair flex space, a modern gymnasium, and open learning areas that encourage creativity and connection.
Our team at echoic worked closely with the school's leadership to bring their vision to life, creating dynamic, flexible, sensory-rich environments that support every learner. In each wing, breakout learning commons sit between the classrooms, with garage doors that open onto the shared spaces. Grassy mounds, rubber logs, curved soft seating, and modular blocks invite students to move, explore, and work together.
"The goal was to create a 'wow' factor that would inspire both students and staff," explains Craig Ward, Education Projects Director at echoic. "It's about getting the most out of a space while ensuring it meets the school's needs and budget."
For teachers, mobile and adjustable furniture makes it easy to adapt each space to the lesson at hand. The result is an engaging, comfortable environment where students can learn in the ways that suit them best.
École Catholique Louis Riel is a testament to what thoughtful design and collaboration can achieve. Through innovative furniture and space planning, echoic helped create a school that embodies joy, creativity, and innovation, and will serve the Grande Prairie community for years to come.
