Youville Centre, a non-profit serving adolescent mothers and their children has been in the Ottawa community for more than 35 years. This 5,000 sq.ft. addition offers supportive licensed childcare for 15 toddlers aged 18 to 30 months, an expansion of the common dining room, and exterior play yard renovations and includes a kitchenette as well as a barrier-free entrance. The open-concept addition provides a visual connection to other child development program elements to maximize the sense of space. Natural light from the large windows throughout provides an open, light-filled, healthy environment for children, mothers, staff and volunteers.
Youville Centre Expansion
Transforming an elementary school into a multi-service hub
CSV designed the original renovation of the Youville Centre in 2000. Formerly an elementary school, the building was converted to provide childcare services, counselling, and high school classes for adolescent mothers. At that time the original 2,300 sq.ft. addition included a commercial kitchen, dining area and a new atrium entrance allowing barrier-free access to the whole building.
Sustainable features
Adaptive re-use of the former school allowed the existing building a second life while providing the Youville Centre with a strong structure in which to grow. Re-use of existing buildings for new uses helps conserve land, energy, and resources while preventing the production of construction waste. High-durability materials were specified to reduce the environmental impact throughout the building’s lifecycle. Materials were regionally sourced and manufactured wherever possible. Recycled content, recyclable products were prioritized. No- and low-VOC, formaldehyde-free products were used exclusively.