nomade fits reception + leisure center into paris schoolyard

nomade fits reception + leisure center into paris schoolyard
image © luc boegly
all images courtesy of nomade architectes

inserting a reception and leisure center into the middle of pierre et marie curie school complex, paris-based firm nomade architectes has divided the mass into two volumes. located in ablon-sur-seine in france, the dense site is positioned between a primary school and a personnel accommodation building. in response to these constraints a set of boxes and offsets were designed, allowing the center to breathe despite its confines – the incorporation of solids and voids, patios and double height ceilings were applied throughout.

the four main programs; the reception area, nursery hub, primary hub and dining room are all either physically or visually linked to the outdoor schoolyard. enabling a sense of flow across the site and through the building, most of the classrooms have double access points, either from the interior hallway and corridors or from the outside. the exterior façades conduct a sense of movement, with breaks in their vertical layouts through large glazed panels, while the northern side opens to the existing school and reception area, revealing its entrance.

the volume is positioned in the middle of pierre et marie curie school complex
image © luc boegly

the layout on the ground floor has been adapted for its use by young children, notably through the avoidance of long corridors and circulation routes. high levels of daylight are filtered through to the building’s interior spaces, with the orientation of the upper floor classrooms organized according to the orientation of the sun. throughout the development of the project, the overall environmental impact was taken into consideration, from its construction to the choice of materials and also the long-term maintenance required. its key innovation however, lies in the timber frame structure, integrating challenges such as cantilevers, façade offsets and large glazed openings, with their composition providing a high performance and low levels of energy consumption.  

the building opens out to an existing schoolyard
image © luc boegly

the exterior façades conduct a sense of movement, with breaks in their vertical layout
image © luc boegly

the mass is divided by two volumes in response to the dense nature of the site
image © luc boegly

west facade
image © luc boegly

interior view of the activity room
image © luc boegly

the interior spaces are all either physically or visually linked to the outdoor schoolyard
image © luc boegly

(left) primary room
(right) hall
images © luc boegly

the massing consists of boxes and offsets, allowing the center to breathe despite its confines
image © luc boegly

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