The first phase of the 'paul chevallier school' by french practice tectoniques has recently been completed with the opening of a wood-clad nursery and elementary school that sit administratively and structurally autonomous to one another. the structures feature generous spaces and light filled hallways and public areas. various natural timber textures are found throughout the exterior an interior, from light knotted planks to the repetitious slats on the outside envelope.
An angular green rooftop slices through the progression of orthogonal volumes creating an artificial landscape elevated above the ground that also shades the windows with its deep overhangs. a series of carefully designed pedestrian walkways and courtyards streamline the daily routines of the parents, children and faculty as they shuffle to and from dropping off or picking up children. in 2014, phase two will see the addition of a gym facility that will accompany the educational buildings already given more value by the neighboring brosset park, the maison des familles, the centre social, and the ecole de musique.