d'houndt + bajart architects carves rock façade for school canteen in france

d’houndt + bajart architects carves rock façade for school canteen in france
photography by julien lanoo

visualized as a rock suspended over a void, french practice d’houndt + bajart architects and associates have created the prominent volume which serves as a school in tourcoing’s canteen. ‘the roc’ cafeteria, based in a building with two levels has established a meeting point between the two schools and at the same time, given it a distinctive identity.

the volume built on two levels is the meeting point between the two schools

the rocky texture of the volume starkly contrasts with the white floors, the jambs of the woodwork and underlines the structure being suspended. purposely perched higher than the surrounding wall of the school’s aisle, the school cafeteria has been conceived as a hybrid between a cave and a tree house. composed of shotcrete and then moulded by skilled craftsmen, the façade is true to the real texture of a rock, where the cracks and eroded edges have been reproduced and colored a similar shade to the clay brick- allowing the building to blend more with neighboring buildings.

shotcrete, molded and hand carved by a skilled craftsman, the facade recreates every detail a rock would have

popular with the kids, the unique complex has been arranged where the ground floor of the restaurant is an extension to the elementary school, while the it is also on the same level as the kindergarten. due to its elevation, the interior receives plenty of natural daylight, while the walls have the same rocky texture as the exterior.

the building has several entry points that allow different types of users to access in optimum conditions

graphic language is continued so the new construction to exist in harmony with the original buildings

the school restaurant is a hybrid between the cave and the tree house

the corridor leading off to the classes continues to reach directly to the canteen

the restaurant has the great advantage of daylight due to the elevation

le roc at night