corten steel school in lugrin, france by ateliers o-s architectes overlooks lake geneva

ateliers o-s architectes introduces a newly completed work within the french town of lugrin, host to sweeping views over lake geneva, bordering switzerland and france. the project is designed to extend a grouping of schools situated in the heart of the village, behind a church and a town hall. combining the metabolism of its territory and the growth of its population, the complex has already been through three extensions and renovations. with this addition of another block to the building, the project introduces a new courtyard, three elementary classrooms and a visual arts room, each with a capacity of thirty students, as well as common rooms.

images © cyrille weiner

ateliers o-s architectes dove-tails the lugrin extension into the topography of the land. the overall project is comprised of several adjoining volumes, embedded into the slope with half-levels. fabricated of corten steel, the faceted volume is elevated against the horizon on a rough concrete base deeply anchored in its soil. the upper level houses a new catering area, while the lower level houses the elementary classrooms, the two programs expressing their independence through their materiality. the figure of the barn links the extension to local heritage with its double-pitched roof and its rust color. 

with the lugrin extension, atelier o-s architectes leaves a ‘breadcrumb trail’ of its design language, realized as a covered gallery that runs alongside the courtyard. this gallery serves as a connection from the entrance of the new construction to the existing school complex. while the structure is built with concrete and timber framing, the defining corten steel envelope resonates with the existing tile roofs. the structural system and materials are chosen for their rationality, simplicity, and environmental lightness. their implementation for the lugrin school is an continued example of the studio’s expressive use of materials which it has embraced throughout its body of work.

project info:

project title: school extension in lugrin

architecture: ateliers o-s architectes

location: chemin du grand tronc 74500 lugrin, france

architects in charge: vincent baur, guillaume colboc, gaël le nouëne, vincent menuel, yvanie wilhelm

completion: 2020

photography: © cyrille weiner