‘school complex in chartres’ by edouard francois. chartres, franceall images courtesy of edouard francois

 

 

 

schools are a key element to any neighborhood, often times being the deciding factor in a new potential citizen’s decision to become part of the community. the ‘school complex in chartres’ by maison edouard francois pinpoints this circumstance and creates the ideal educational facility. the program and form is divided into three distinct and architectonically different sections surrounded by peripheral gabion and green walls that change color and identity throughout the year. 

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresexterior gabion wall

 

 

 

the nursery is enlivened with bright colors and simplified shapes; the doorways are voids in the shapeof simple geometries, like the infants’ toy. the pre-school children learn within an environment replete with many different materials, concrete, plywood panels, and natural tree trunks used in various forms. the oldest elementary kids in turn inhabit an industrial zone categorized by its harder steel members, colorful glazing, pipes, mechanical systems and cartoon references.

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartrescircular windows peek through at different heights for different aged observers

 

 

 

each section also has its own courtyard like a unique landscape that contains a central structure housing the bathrooms and storage space which represents itself in different ways according to the age group. in the nursery it manifests itself as a giant boulder surrounded by colorful floor sections and a small garden of various plants. the preschool enjoys a wooden chalet like a log cabin, and the elementary school keeps the industrial nature with a miniature factory.

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresview of the courtyard from the roof

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresmain entrance into complex

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresview to the nursery courtyard

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartres

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresboulder / bathrooms

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartressimple geometries reveal themselves in the doorways

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresclassroom with colorful beams and floor

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresgeometric openings

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresentry to preschool

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartrespre-school hallway

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresclassroom looking out onto the courtyard

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartres

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartrespreschool courtyard chalet / bathrooms

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartresbathrooms

 

 

edouard francois: school complex in chartres

 

 

 edouard francois: school complex in chartresindustrial coat hangers in the elementary area

 

 

 edouard francois: school complex in chartreselementary school courtyard factory / bathrooms