Nantes (44)
The project shows the will to densify, revitalize and urbanize a new eco-district while preserving its identity and biodiversity. It sets the tone. It is part of a vast urban development operation, the Doulon-Gohards joint development zone, valuing 100 hectares of preserved natural area with the return to production of four urban farms. The school complex is thus the foundation stone of the New Doulon – fertile city, voted in 2016. How can we minimize the impact of plant heritage while erecting a building that promotes the neighborhood, open to the outside but also functional? The school complex was conceived as a bird’s nest integrated into the landscape. Built in Larch wood, it is structured and “woven” on two levels around an indoor playground and established trees. The facades are the protective limit to adjacent tracks and prevailing winds, while allowing visual escapes. Such provisions ensure great safety for children while protecting local residents from noise nuisances. The base of the building is made of polished stainless steel to reflect the light and landscape. The floor is composed of a wooden cladding animated by a tangle of curved blades. This visual effect makes it possible to «float» the first floor, evoking lightness and poetry. The vegetated roofs, visible from future equipment and neighboring housing, contribute to the building integration in the site. A virtuous building with regard to the environment, saving in energy, carbon and operating costs.
