chartier dalix's parisian primary school encourages biodiversity

chartier dalix’s parisian primary school encourages biodiversity
image © p. guignard / SAEM val de seine

in the western suburbs of paris, french practice chartier dalix architectes has completed a primary school topped with a large green roof. conceived as an ‘elevated landscape’, the project seeks to introduce elements of the natural environment to an urban context.

the scheme involves two structures: a school with eighteen classrooms, and a sports facility that is open for local residents. the public gymnasium rises to a height of 12 meters, while educational spaces are primarily housed on the ground and first floors, before rising progressively to the third storey.

the project seeks to introduce elements of the natural environment to an urban context
image © david foessel

a mineral wall connects the two buildings, forming the boundary of the plot. this living wall is made from prefabricated concrete blocks, whose indentations provide new environments for both vegetation and wildlife. the staggering of these large bricks increases the types of potential habitat for the different species expected on the site.

the two external playgrounds establish a clear and reciprocal dialogue
image © cyrille weiner

the highly compact building has been designed as a living landscape, with the two external playgrounds establishing a clear and reciprocal dialogue. above the gymnasium, the roof canopy is home to a wide variety of vegetation: an area of mesophilus plants, a shrub-land fringe and a woodland island. as well as ensuring the site’s biodiversity, the elevated garden also results in pleasant external views from the school’s neighboring apartments.

the school is topped with a tiered green roof
image © david foessel

a mineral wall connects the two buildings, forming the boundary of the plot
(left) image © david foessel
(right) image © cyrille weiner

the living wall is made from prefabricated concrete blocks
(left) image © cyrille weiner
(right) image © david foessel

indentations provide new environments for both vegetation and wildlife
image © david foessel

the site’s gymnasium is open to the public
(left) image © david foessel
(right) image © cyrille weiner

the elevated garden results in pleasant external views from the school’s neighboring apartments
image © cyrille weiner

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project info:

location: ZAC seguin rive de seine boulogne-billancourt, france
school address: 12-14-16 traverse jules-guesde
gymnasium address: 44 rue marcel-bontemps
contractor: SAEM val de seine
company: bouygues ouvrages publics
architect: chartier dalix architectes
BET: EVP [structure], CFERM [fluids], f. bougon [eco], f. boutté [hqe], A.E.U. [ecologist], biodiversita [biodiversity]
site surface area: 5,164 sqm
net surface area: 6,766 sqm
gymnasium net surface area: 2,423.7 sqm
school net surface area: 4,209 sqm
official accommodation net surface area: 120.5 sqm
cost: 18,799,869 euros (before tax)
completed: july 2014