February 27, 2026
Architecture49 is proud to share that, together with PCL Construction, we have received the Building Better, Together Award for the West Bedford Schools project from the Design and Construction Institute of Nova Scotia. The award, presented at the annual DCI Annual Awards Gala on February 26th, recognizes project teams that work across disciplines, organizations, and sectors with trust, shared responsibility, and a commitment to achieving meaningful community impact.
West Bedford Schools is one of Nova Scotia’s most significant education projects: a single, integrated building serving more than 2,000 students from Pre-Primary through Grade 12, designed to bring two distinct school communities together under one roof through shared learning, arts, performance, and athletic spaces. The project reflects years of partnership between A49 and PCL, built on a shared understanding of how thoughtful design and coordinated delivery can support student wellbeing and community connection. That long-standing relationship, combined with close collaboration with the Province of Nova Scotia, consultants, school leadership, and community stakeholders, shaped a highly unified approach to planning and construction.
Working as a single integrated team allowed key decisions to be made collectively, including the early move toward one building with a central shared hub that anchors arts, wellness, and community-facing spaces. The result is a modern, flexible, community-oriented learning environment that reflects the strengths and contributions of everyone involved.
Receiving the Building Better, Together Award is a meaningful recognition of the collaborative effort behind West Bedford Schools. We are grateful to PCL and all partners: government, consultants, educators, and community members, for the trust and shared purpose that made this project possible.