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Agrandissement de l’école primaire Saint-René
By : Yelle Maillé architectes avec la collaboration de DKA
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Public Building / School & Preschool Education Building : Bronze Certification
The concept of this expansion stems from the reflection initiated in Quebec on the future of education. How can we make children want to go to school?
Abandoning the classic design of long corridors, the concept is deployed at the children’s scale and brings a familiar aspect to his school, the townhome with a sloped roof, represented here by the household. Each household is composed of 4 face-to-face classes and 2 collaboration rooms. Movable glass partitions separate the different rooms, offering various combinations to either join or close them within the household. The flexibility it provides contributes to a culture of sharing, which is at the heart of new learning methods.
The architectural premise shines at first glance. A fully glazed facade stands out by revealing the interior shape of a household and its sloped ceilings.
The project is based on studies carried out at Salford University (UK) which demonstrate the benefits of multiple factors on academic success such as natural light, the proximity to nature or its representation, thermal comfort, air quality, etc. In each classroom, a wall with windows rising to the ceiling lets in natural light and creates a strong relationship between the interior and the exterior. The silk-screen printed leaves reducing the brightness of the sun accentuate this impression. Furthermore, the architects added an interior courtyard for some outdoor classes.
Collaboration
Yelle Maillé et associés architectes inc.
Architect : Yelle Maillé architectes
Architect : DKA architectes
Engineering : WSP