Nov 25, 2025

When JL Ilsley High School opened its doors in Halifax, it marked a new era in how public schools are designed and built in Nova Scotia.

As the province’s first project delivered through the Collaborative Design-Build (CDB) model, JL Ilsley set a precedent for what’s possible when builders, designers, and educators work together from day one. The 14,743 m², three-storey school accommodates 1,200 students and 82 staff and reflects a shared vision: creating a modern, inclusive, and sustainable space for learning.

A New Model for Collaboration

Unlike traditional delivery methods, the Collaborative Design-Build approach integrates all project partners early in the process, from design through construction. For JL Ilsley, this meant that Marco, Harvey Architecture, JHA Architecture, Solterre Design, school staff, key stakeholders, and the Province of Nova Scotia worked as one team, engaging directly with the school’s principal, staff, and community representatives.

Through “Big Room” meetings and targeted breakout sessions, the team gathered insights from those who knew the school environment best. This collaboration directly shaped spaces like:

• A multi-level library designed to balance collaboration and quiet study.
• Gender-neutral washrooms and open sightlines to promote inclusivity and safety.
• Flexible classrooms and breakout areas that support group work and modern learning approaches.
• A gymnasium and stage designed for both athletics and performance, complete with accessibility features.

Every decision reflected a balance between educational best practices, sustainability goals, and constructability realities.

Innovation Within Constraints

Building a new high school on the same property as the existing, operational facility presented one of the project’s greatest challenges. With limited space and only a single entrance, safety and logistics planning were critical.

Marco developed a detailed plan to separate the occupied and construction zones, introducing a temporary access route and installing public safety barriers. This solution allowed both the existing school and new construction to operate safely and efficiently, without interrupting the academic year.

By carefully phasing demolition and construction, the team ensured that the new JL Ilsley High School opened on time for the 2021 fall term, with the remaining site work and sports fields completed the following summer.

Designing for Today’s Learners

Inside, the school’s design emphasizes adaptability, wellness, and hands-on learning. It includes:

• 38 classrooms and 20 small-group rooms.
• Specialized arts, trades, and technology suites.
• A family studies area supporting nutrition and life skills education.
• Dedicated spaces for students with disabilities, including a kitchen used for daily breakfast programs.

Natural light, daylighting control, and durable materials were prioritized to create environments that are both welcoming and built to last. Classroom windowsills were widened to encourage connection to daylight and nature, supporting emerging trends that link environmental design to better learning outcomes.

Sustainable and Student-Centered

JL Ilsley was designed and constructed to LEED Silver standards, achieving high performance in energy efficiency, air quality, and indoor environmental quality. Beyond environmental goals, the school embodies Nova Scotia’s Safe and Caring Schools policy, emphasizing accessibility, visibility, and inclusivity throughout its design.

A Model for the Future

From its pioneering use of the CDB model to its emphasis on collaboration, JL Ilsley High School has become a blueprint for how schools in Atlantic Canada can be built: efficiently, sustainably, and with the community at the heart of the process.

For Marco, the project reinforced the power of early engagement, constructability planning, and integrated teamwork to deliver complex public infrastructure that improves lives and inspires future generations.