ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
Evocative and Poetic Materiality
The choice of a lightweight , prefabricated French wooden structure reduced the noise and duration of the construction work , minimizing the impact on the site , which remained in use by the school community .
The design highlights the fragmented nature of the structure with distinct treatments for the ground floor and the upper level .
The ground floor , a visual anchor for the children , forms a base that is widely open to the courtyards . It is clad in factory-treated vertical wooden slats .
This cladding , made of French Douglas fir , is pre-aged with a gray finish to ensure its appearance remains stable over time . The upper level is wrapped in a reflective skin of mirrored aluminum panels interspersed with glass windows .
The facade reflects the foliage of the trees , the sky , and the distant landscape , causing the building to change its appearance and colors with the seasons and weather . The softly curved and taut roofs appear to float above the courtyards .
Inside , raw materials are prioritized . The wooden framework is exposed throughout , and the prefabricated concrete walls of the halls , which stabilize the structure , are left untreated . Acoustics are managed with compacted natural wood fiber placed between the structural beams .
The insulation is made of wood wool . The utility systems are exposed and neatly integrated . The compact design of the building , which prioritizes playground space , led to the installation of central corridors that distribute rooms on both sides .
To naturally illuminate these spaces , windows are incorporated into the walls separating classrooms and corridors . The ends of these circulation spaces are also glazed , ensuring that every point offers a view of the outdoors and surrounding greenery .
Client : Municipality of Mareil-Marly Location : Mareil-Marly ( 78 ), France Program : Extension of a School Complex + 13 classrooms and a recreation center Environmental Features : Bio-based building with a wooden structure , natural wool insulation , timber and mirrored aluminum cladding on the facades , ceilings made of wood fiber Certification : E = C Label - Level E3C1 Cost : € 7.3 million
Areas : Gross Floor Area ( SDP ): 1,997 m ² Usable Floor Area ( SU ): 1,852 m ² Net Floor Area ( SHON ): 2,074 m ² Outdoor Spaces : 2,824 m ² Timeline : 2020 - 2024
Team : Hemaa Architectes ( lead architects ) in collaboration with Hesters Oyon Architectes ( competition phase ), OTE - Engineering Office , OTELIO - Environmental Engineering Office Photography : Nicolas Da Silva and Sergio Grazia Remarks : Heritage site located in the heart of Mareil- Marly , adjacent to the town hall .
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