January, 2026: Outdoor Education and Indigenous Centre
The project was initiated as part of TLDSB’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on supporting meaningful learning and success for all students while fostering equity, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging. The building is situated on the Board’s 90-acre, heavily forested property in Minden, currently home to Archie Stouffer Elementary School. This unique location within a dense forest provides students with opportunities to connect with nature, extend learning beyond the classroom, and develop hands-on skills that will benefit them for years to come.
The design draws inspiration from the longhouse, expressed as an elongated, single-volume form that emphasizes simplicity, functional efficiency, and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor environments. Rather than incorporating traditional classrooms and hallways, the building features a high-volume open space that is intentionally left flexible, allowing users to program and adapt the environment to support a wide range of learning experiences.