Okanagan College Trades

Winning the 2018 institutional Awards Okanagan College Trades facility [MH1] endeavored to create a cohesive relationship with the natural splendor of Kalamalka Lake with the snowcapped Monashee Mountain range as a backdrop. The massing, transparency, and material selection along the entrance route were carefully articulated with natural wood features and strategic glazing placement. Situated in one of the most stunning locations within the valley, Okanagan College’s Vernon campus nestles into its natural environment and capitalizes on the breathtaking views. When designing the new trades facility, the design team endeavored to emulate this relationship. As the first structure experienced when arriving on campus the design embraces its prominent location, affording a sense of arrival. The massing, transparency, and material selection along the entrance route were carefully articulated to create a pedestrian friendly interface. Crisp angular lines, natural wood features, and strategic glazing placement impart a rustic-modern image and the variance of the siding visually breaks the overall mass and linear lines of the building.