The design of the new St. Martin Catholic Elementary School is the result of a collaborative design process that involved the Niagara Catholic School Board, the Township of West Lincoln and the existing St. Martin School community. Located on a main thoroughfare, sloped forms, skewed walls and special attention to context provide a building form that frames the main gateway and welcomes visitors into the town of Smithville.

The careful placement of program at the main entrance of the school allow the three pillars of the St. Martin community, play (Gymnasium), learning (Library) and religion (Alter) to be presented within the main foyer of the school.

School layout has arranged classroom areas in a community living arrangement to encourage children from all grades to intersperse and co-mingle to foster a greater sense of school community and belonging.